| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| PE 08/031 |
Declarations of interest. |
A declaration of interest was made by Councillor Thornewell during the course of discussion of the item relating to the Open Space Strategy (details under Minute PE 08/035). |
| PE 08/032 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the notes of the meeting of the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board held on 3 June 2008 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CABINET | ||
| PE 08/033 |
South East Plan |
The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure set out details of the Government's proposed changes to the South East Plan which had been published in July 2008. The report highlighted matters important to the Borough and identified those with a more general relevance. Particular concern was expressed about the introduction of 'minimum' housing targets; the change of approach to the provision of infrastructure and the proposal to delete Strategic Gaps. Reference was also made to concerns raised at a meeting of the South East England Regional Assembly which the Leader had attended on 17 October 2008. It was noted that responses to the consultation were required by 24 October 2008. RECOMMENDED: That action taken in advance of the Cabinet meeting to authorise the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure to submit a response to the Secretary of State expressing the concerns and objections raised in the report, as amplified at the meeting, be confirmed. *Referred to Cabinet |
| PE 08/034 |
Tonbridge Conservation Area Appraisal - Adoption Decision Notice D080186MEM |
The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure set out details of the responses received from members of the public to the consultation exercise on the draft Tonbridge Conservation Area Appraisal. A summary of the comments received was set out in Annex A to the report. RECOMMENDED: That (1) the proposed changes to the extent of the Tonbridge Conservation Area (as agreed in June and included in the consultation draft) be reaffirmed; and (2) the Tonbridge Conservation Area Appraisal (as amended) be adopted. |
| PE 08/035 |
Open Space Strategy Decision Notice D080187MEM |
The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure outlined the background to the preparation and proposed function of the draft Open Space Strategy, particularly in regard to the Managing Development and the Environment Development Plan Document. The report set out details of comments received in response to the consultation exercise on the draft Strategy and it was noted that this item had been considered at the Leisure and Arts Advisory Board on 13 October 2008. A summary of the comments received and proposed amendments to the draft Strategy were set out at Annex 1 to the report. RECOMMENDED: That the proposed amendments highlighted at Annex 1 to the report be confirmed and the amended Open Space Strategy be referred to the Policy Overview Committee for consideration. [During consideration of this item Councillor Thornewell declared a personal and prejudicial interest in matters being discussed in relation to Buckmore Park in that his former employer acted on behalf of the owner of this site. He withdrew from the meeting during consideration of this matter.] |
| PE 08/036 |
Gypsy and Traveller - Related Matters Decision Notice D080188MEM |
The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure set out details of a proposed response to the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) consultation on alternative pitch distributions around the South East with regard to SEERA's partial review of the South East Plan dealing with Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople. The report highlighted the local planning implications of the proposals and assessed the development control implications of recent appeal decisions. RECOMMENDED: That (1) with regard to the Partial Review of the South East Plan, SEERA be advised that: (i) the Borough Council's first preference would be for half of the new spaces to be based on the findings of the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessments (GTAA) with the remainder being redistributed across the region on a pro-rata basis, failing which, and subject to the views of the County-wide Joint Member Steering Group, the Council would support Option C where half of the new spaces would be based in the same general areas as current sites and the remainder would be distributed across the region; (ii) Transit Site provision should be a matter for local determination in consultation with the Gypsy and Traveller Community; and (iii) the matter of homeless Travelling Showpeople should be referred back to SEERA and the Guild of Travelling Showpeople for further consideration; (2) the Council's position in respect of preparing a dedicated Development Plan Document (DPD) for Gypsies and Traveller be reaffirmed; (3) the implications of recent appeal decisions for development control be noted; and (4) efforts continue to be made to secure a satisfactory and viable solution for enlarging the public Gypsy site at Coldharbour with a specific view to meeting locally identified need within the Borough. |
| PE 08/037 |
South Central Franchise Consultation Decision Notice D080189MEM |
The joint report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure and the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation provided an update on responses submitted to the Department for Transport in respect of its consultation on the refranchising of rail services in the south central area and to the Kent County Council Select Committee considering the implications of the Channel Tunnel Rail Line Domestic Service for the wider rail network across Kent. RECOMMENDED: That the submissions made on rail issues covered in the report be endorsed. |
| PE 08/038 |
AONB Management Plan Reviews Decision Notice D080190MEM |
The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure outlined the review process of the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan and the High Weald AONB Management Plan and set out details of the Council's response to the consultation drafts. RECOMMENDED: That the Kent Downs AONB Unit and the High Weald AONB Unit be informed that the Borough Council endorses the content of the draft Management Plans for the Kent Downs AONB and the High Weald AONB. |
| MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION | ||
| PE 08/039 |
Performance in Policy Making and Development Control |
The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure provided performance details for the policy and development control services and highlighted recent changes in various aspects of matters dealt with by Planning Services. |
| PE 08/040 |
Parking Action Plan - Progress Report |
The joint report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure and the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation provided an update on progress with the Parking Action Plan. |
| PE 08/041 |
The Pitt Review - Learning Lessons from the 2007 Floods |
The joint report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure and the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation outlined the key issues identified in Sir Michael Pitt's report to the Government on the floods in summer 2007. The report identified the potential implications of the Pitt Review for the Borough Council. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| PE 08/042 |
Exclusion of Press and Public |
There were no items considered in private. |