| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| PE 12/026 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct. |
| PE 12/027 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the notes of the meeting of the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board held on 16 May 2012 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CABINET | ||
| PE 12/028 |
Rail Issues Decision Notice D120151MEM |
The Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure provided an update on a range of rail issues affecting the Borough. Particular reference was made to the public consultation seeking stakeholder views on the new Southeastern franchise. The deadline for responses was 12 September and a response, attached as Annex 1 to the report, had been submitted. Officers noted additional comments regarding some refinements to the response on rail fares and cycle storage provision, which would be shared with Southeastern. With regard to the Kent Community Rail Partnership, Members welcomed the idea of 'adopting' a railway station along the Medway Valley Line and hoped that local communities would be encouraged to participate. RECOMMENDED: That the response to the Southeastern Franchise consultation, attached at Annex 1 to the report, be endorsed. |
| PE 12/029 |
Response to Maidstone Borough Council Core Strategy Allocations document and Integrated Transport Strategy |
The Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure sought endorsement of the officer responses made in respect of the recent consultations by Maidstone Borough Council on a strategic sites allocations document and an Integrated Transport Strategy, which supplemented the Core Strategy consultations last autumn. A summary of the responses provided by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council was set out in the report. The primary concerns related to the adverse impact on local highway capacity, air quality and the integrity of the strategic gap. Members expressed severe concern regarding air quality and were pleased that these had been reiterated. Finally, Members noted the new duty to co-operate with neighbouring authorities and hoped that all district and borough councils collaborated to address strategic planning issues. RECOMMENDED: That the officer comments set out at Appendix 1 of the report be endorsed and Maidstone Borough Council notified in due course. *Referred to Cabinet |
| PE 12/030 |
Government Planning Reforms Update Decision Notice D120152MEM |
The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure, together with a supplementary report circulated in advance of the meeting, provided an update on the latest Government Planning Reforms. These were in respect of changes to the Planning System initiated by the current Government. The supplementary report contained details of the formal consultation documents regarding the extension of permitted development rights for homeowners and businesses. It was noted that a full assessment of the options was required to enable a response to be submitted before the end of the consultation period. The areas of change proposed were outlined in the report and noted by Members. Concern was expressed regarding the increases in permitted development thresholds for domestic extensions and the conversion of existing garages. In addition, Members expressed concern that it might not be obvious to members of the public what was meant by 'protected areas' where permitted development would not be changed to such an extent. Other key points noted related to the proposed 'permitted' change from commercial to residential use and the potential implications for employment provision and also future business rates incomes. Members asked that the local Members of Parliament, the Local Government Association and the District Councils Network be sent a copy of the response when submitted as there were some serious concerns about the approach being promoted. RECOMMENDED: That a detailed response to the consultation document be prepared in consultation with the Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board and the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation, submitted to the Government by 24 December 2012 and copied to the local Members of Parliament, the Local Government Association and the District Councils Network. |
| PE 12/031 |
West Malling Local Parking Plan Review Decision Notice D120153MEM |
Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure which set out details of a recent review of parking conditions in West Malling. This had been undertaken with the assistance of a local Steering Group and identified a number of opportunities to provide additional on-street parking within the town and to amend the regime for short-term parking in the High Street Car Park. In addition, details of a number of other parking issues which had arisen during the consultation process were set out in the report. It was noted that the parking review had been requested by local businesses in the town. Members queried whether the extent of restrictions to accompany additional on-street parking in St Leonard Street was necessary in view of the occasional overspill of parking that this section of road provided. This point was noted and consideration would be given to some alterations to this element of the proposals. The potential of introducing charges for the High Street car park was discussed. Members recognised that some charging in the future remained an option in improving parking management and turnover in the car park, which could be beneficial to residents, visitors and traders. RECOMMENDED: That (1) the Steering Group's recommendations for: 1. the on-street proposals set out in the report be approved, subject to some alterations to the St Leonard's Street proposals; 2. the reduction in the maximum stay in the High Street car park to be reduced from 4 hours to 3 hours be approved; 3. the development of additional on-street proposals in respect of the Norman Road/Offham Road area and the A20 as set out in the report be approved; (2) the Parish Council and Chamber of Commerce be requested to lead an approach to the business community and encourage those requiring long-stay parking to park within the Ryarsh Lane car park or within the additional on-street spaces as described in the report; and (3) a further report be made in 6 months time to further consider the use of the Short Stay High Street car park. |
| MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION | ||
| PE 12/032 |
Road Transport Matters |
An update on a range of road transport issues affecting the Borough was provided in the report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure. Local Members welcomed the objectives and proposed approaches, as set out in Annex 1 to the report, for achieving a new Transport Strategy for Tonbridge Town Centre. The intention was to provide better management of the current road structure through improved signalling, signing and some relatively modest and more achievable engineering works, which would ease the flow of traffic in and around the town centre. Particular reference was made to the issues surrounding bus transport provision in Tonbridge and the recent problems experienced by school children. Kent County Council had offered to hold a specific Members briefing on the subject on a date to be arranged. Members also requested that the main points from the briefing be recorded and reported back to a future meeting of the Joint Transportation Board. |
| PE 12/033 |
Post Implementation Reviews |
The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure summarised four capital scheme post implementation reviews in accordance with the capital strategy. These were the Parking Action Plan - Borough Green; Parking Action Plan - Phase 5; Car Parking Winter Emergency Vehicle and Countryside Partnership Initiatives in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The completed templates for the post implementation reviews were set out at Annexes 1 to 4 of the report respectively. |
| PE 12/034 |
Valley of Visions |
The Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure provided an update on progress with the Heritage Lottery Funded 'Valley of Visions' project. It was noted that alternative funding streams would be necessary from April 2013 in order for the Valley of Visions project to continue and funding opportunities were currently being explored. Members formally recorded their appreciation to the Valley of Visions team for their hard work and contribution to the local community and area and expressed sadness at the end of the project. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| PE 12/035 |
Exclusion of Press and Public |
There were no items considered in private. |