| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| PE 12/012 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made. |
| PE 12/013 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the notes of the meeting of the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board held on 21 February 2012 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| PE 12/014 |
The National Planning Policy Framework, Localism Act and Neighbourhood Planning |
The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure provided an update following the publication of recent Government policy and guidance on planning and summarised the main issues arising for the Borough Council and its communities. The nine main provisions under the heading of planning reform set out in the Localism Act were outlined in paragraph 1.2.1 of the report. In addition, a summary of the key points of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was attached as Annex 1 to the report and explained in a presentation given by the Planning Policy Manager. Members noted that there was a legal requirement on the Authority to adhere to the provisions of the Localism Act insofar as they related to town and country planning. The Borough Council acting in its capacity as Local Planning Authority also had to acknowledge that the NPPF was now a material planning consideration in the determination of planning applications and in taking forward the review of the Local Development Framework towards a Local Plan. The risks associated with not responding to the Government's planning reforms as set out in the report were also noted by Members. It was emphasised that the adopted development plan policies continued to carry significant weight in determining planning applications until at least March 2013, but after that time their relevance would diminish. Careful consideration was given to the implications surrounding the new powers for local communities. Particular reference was made to the opportunities and challenges associated with neighbourhood planning; the resource and financial implications for both Neighbourhood Forums and the Local Planning Authority in preparing and dealing with neighbourhood plans, which could be time consuming and costly and the potential difficulties and funding issues regarding referendums. In addition, reference was made to the new planning policy for traveller sites. Members recognised that this was a high profile issue in the Borough given the extension of the Coldharbour site and noted the importance of adopting the right approach towards future site provision. |
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CABINET | ||
| PE 12/015 |
Review of the Local Development Framework - A New Local Plan for the Borough |
The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure responded to the Government's reforms to the planning system by considering a review of the Local Development Framework (LDF) towards a new Local Plan. Key matters for consideration would be to assess the evidence base necessary for undertaking the review, the resource implications, including responding to other requirements on the planning service. Members noted the financial and value for money considerations, the risk assessment and potential resource implications as set out in the report. The Advisory Board also recognised the significant amount of work arising from the Governments reforms and the challenging decision making for the future in meeting development requirements in the Borough. RECOMMENDED: That the contents of the report be noted and a programme of work towards the new Local Plan be developed and progressed at the earliest opportunity under the guidance of a new Member panel. *Referred to Cabinet |
| PE 12/016 |
Development and Infrastructure, Creating Quality Places - KCC Consultation Document |
Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure which provided an update in respect of a response to a consultation document published by Kent County Council seeking views on the future funding and delivery of community infrastructure for which the County Council was responsible. A copy of the response, which was returned to Kent County Council by 20th April 2012 to be within the consultation period, was attached as Annex 1 to the report. The key issues addressed by the response were set out in paragraph 1.3 of the report. RECOMMENDED: That the comments previously made by officers be endorsed. *Referred to Cabinet |
| PE 12/017 |
Transportation Matters Decision Notice D120070MEM |
The Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure provided an update on a range of current transportation issues affecting the Borough and sought endorsement of a Manifesto for Improved Rail Services. In light of the concerns relating to the way rail services operated a Manifesto for Improved Rail Services had been produced with the aim of urging the Government to help improve rail services within the Borough. The document, which was essentially a compendium of all the issues the Borough Council had previously produced was attached as Annex 1 to the report. In response to this document being sent to the Department for Transport, the Minister of State (The Right Honourable Theresa Villiers MP) had welcomed the Borough Council's initiative and invited further comments once the franchise consultation period was formally opened. Members noted in particular the desirability of promoting High Speed 1 services to stop at Snodland station on the Medway Valley line. The Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure reported that a campaign to secure additional stops on train services into London on the West Malling/Borough Green line into London (which would have detracted from journey times from the Borough) had not been successful. In addition, the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure was pleased to report that progress had been made regarding the A21 dualling scheme and that Government had agreed that preparatory work could now continue and in particular the Public Inquiry would now be programmed. Members welcomed this positive news, despite noting that funding for construction would not be available until 2015 pending the outcome of the next spending review. Finally, areas of concern about the shortcomings regarding school bus travel and provision for practical alternatives to car travel for short trips in Tonbridge were noted by officers and would be referred to Kent County Council for consideration by the Joint Transportation Board in due course. RECOMMENDED: That the Manifesto for Improved Rail Services be endorsed and progress on other matters noted. |
| PE 12/018 |
Aylesford Parking Review Decision Notice D120071MEM |
The report advised of a recent review, undertaken with the assistance of a local Steering Group, into parking conditions in the village of Aylesford. It recommended that measures be introduced on street to deal with concerns about highway safety and obstruction and provide some additional parking opportunities. In the two public car parks it was recommended that the current management arrangement be retained, subject to continued monitoring, and one of the car parks be extended, subject to agreement with the Parish Council on cost sharing. A response from Aylesford Parish Council was tabled at the meeting and the agreement in principle to contribute to funding was noted. RECOMMENDED: That the partnership approach with the Parish Council, as described in the report, be endorsed and the detail reported to the next meeting of the Advisory Board. |
| PE 12/019 |
Freight Action Plan for Kent Decision Notice D120072MEM |
The Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure advised that the Borough Council was being consulted on the recently developed Freight Action Plan for Kent. The document had previously been reported to the Joint Transportation Board in March 2012 and was presented now for endorsement. It was noted that the Freight Action Plan outlined the work currently being undertaken or planned for the near future in order to mitigate the impact of freight on the county's residents, workers and visitors. The focus was on road haulage as this had the greatest impact on residents as well as being the area over which the County Council, as the highway authority, had the greatest influence. The six objectives under which a number of action points sat as detailed in the Freight Action Plan were set out in the report. Particular reference was made to the problems surrounding overnight parking, especially as the lack of planned capacity led to the inappropriate use of roads, lay-bys and residential areas. It was considered that a more strategic approach was required to plan for proper controlled parking facilities accompanied by an enforcement regime. RECOMMENDED: That the Kent County Council's Draft Freight Action Plan generally be endorsed by the Borough Council, subject to emphasising the importance of addressing overnight parking issues. |
| PE 12/020 |
Glaxo Smikth Kline (GSK) Site, Powdermill Lane, Leigh - Proposals for Future Development |
The report sought retrospective endorsement of the Borough Council's response to Sevenoaks District Council's consultation on a Supplementary Site Allocations document, which formed part of the Development Plan. The consultation identified nine sites, of which the former GSK at Leigh was one. The proposal was to allocate the site as residential-led mixed use (100 units), retaining an element of offices, warehousing and general industrial use. The deadline for comments to the consultation was Thursday 10 May 2012 and a copy of the response letter sent to Sevenoaks District Council was attached as Annex 2 to the report. Members supported the proposal in principle, but asked that officers monitor the situation regarding access and traffic movements. The Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure considered it reasonable for the Borough Council to view any traffic assessment information. RECOMMENDED: That the comments previously made by officers be endorsed, subject to the further comments set out above being forwarded. *Referred to Cabinet |
| MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION | ||
| PE 12/021 |
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership Agreement and Project Update |
The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure outlined the background to the changes to the Partnership Agreement between the Kent Downs and High Weald Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Units and DEFRA and provided an update on major projects. It also sought to raise concerns over the emerging policy vacuum in relation to protecting the 'setting' of an AONB. In response to a query raised by Members, it was confirmed that due to careful financial management funding for the Medway Valley of Visions had been extended for a further year. |
| PE 12/022 |
Capital Plan Update |
Members noted progress on several capital projects managed within Transport Services including Town Lock, Avebury Avenue Bridge, Wouldham River Wall, Tonbridge Castle East Curtain Wall and the Improvement Programme for Existing Car Parks. Particular reference was made to the emerging challenge and risks in respect of the River Wall at Wouldham. Members were advised that an external consultant would undertake a site investigation to see how the problem could be addressed. The position would be continually monitored and residents fully informed of progress being made and action to be taken. |
| PE 12/023 |
Flood Alleviation Schemes at Aylesford and Little Mill |
The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure explained how fundig rules for flood risk management projects had changed and provided updates on two Enviromental Agency schemes at Aylesford and Little Mill, East Peckham. Members were also advised that a Drought Strategy was being developed by the Environment Agency and this would be reviewed by the Borough Council when finalised. Finally, Members expressed disappointment at the response from the Environment Agency regarding the Little Mill, East Peckham Flood Defence Scheme, feeling it was unhelpful and inappropriate. |
| PE 12/024 |
Flood & Water Management Act 2010 |
Members noted the report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure, which provided an update on recent measures implemented under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 affecting the management of ordinary watercourses. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| PE 12/025 |
Exclusion of Press and Public |
There were no items considered in private. |