| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| PE 13/001 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct. |
| PE 13/002 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Notes of the meeting of the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board held on 20 November 2012 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CABINET | ||
| PE 13/003 |
Quality Bus Partnership Scheme Decision Notice D130038MEM |
The Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure outlined Kent County Council proposals for a Statutory Quality Partnership Scheme for bus services along the A20 corridor from the Coldharbour roundabout in a westerly direction, to the junction with Ashton Way (A228) and Castle Way. This would be a partnership between the County Council, the local bus operators and the Borough Council. It was reported that the primary purpose of the Scheme was to enable a real focus on improving the reliability and attraction of bus transport to the benefit of local communities. Kent County Council would be the lead authority and manage the scheme; whilst the Borough Council would be responsible for the enforcement of Traffic Regulation Orders (subject to ongoing agreement with County), the maintenance of bus shelters and street/footway sweeping within the scheme area. Members welcomed this initiative, which had already been well received in some parts of the Borough, and hoped that other operators would be encouraged to participate. RECOMMENDED: That the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure, in consultation with the Director of Central Services, be given delegated authority to enter into this agreement. |
| PE 13/004 |
Consultation on Speed Limit for HGVs Over 7.5 Tonnes Decision Notice D130039MEM |
Consideration was given to a recent consultation by the Department for Transport on the speed limit for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes on single carriageway roads. A response submitted to meet the 1 February 2013 deadline was also set out for endorsement. It was noted that concerns with any general increase to the speed limit due to road safety and environmental implications had been expressed. The response opposed an indiscriminate increase of the speed limit to either 45 mph or 50 mph and indicated that it should remain at 40 mph within many rural communities. RECOMMENDED: That the response to the Department for Transport, as set out in Annex 1 to the report, be endorsed. |
| PE 13/005 |
A21 Tonbridge to Pembury Dualling Decision Notice D130040MEM |
The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure set out details of the Department for Transport's announcement of the resumption of the statutory planning process for the proposed A21 Tonbridge to Pembury dualling scheme. It was reported that the Borough Council as a statutory consultee had the opportunity to comment on the detail of the proposals. Initial discussions had been held with Kent County Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to ensure a coordinated approach to any involvement in the public inquiry. It was noted that the public inquiry was scheduled to start on 14 May 2013. RECOMMENDED: That the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation, be authorised to make representations to the Department for Transport on the A21 Dualling Public Inquiry and co-ordinate these as far as practicable with the County Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. |
| PE 13/006 |
Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Minerals Safeguarding Decision Notice D130041MEM |
The report summarised the Mineral Safeguarding Topic Paper prepared by Kent County Council to inform the production of the new Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan. It outlined the purpose of the paper, its relationship with the Plan and the implications for the Borough. Members were invited to endorse the officer level comments set out in the report and made by the deadline of 4 March 2013. It was emphasised that the current consultation was for a topic Paper which would outline the approach that would be taken to safeguarding minerals resources in the draft plan. It would not contain specific policies. Members expressed some concern regarding potential extra bureaucracy and administrative costs related to planning permissions. In addition, they commented on the need to be aware of possible mineral extraction sites on the Borough's boundaries. The benefit of early engagement in the consultation process to identify these potential issues was highlighted. RECOMMENDED: That the contents of the report, including the officer level comments summarised in paragraphs 1.6.8 to 1.6.11 thereof and submitted by 4 March 2013, be noted and endorsed. |
| PE 13/007 |
Local Plan Update Decision Notice D130042MEM |
Members received the report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure which provided an update on progress with the preparation of the new Local Plan and sought endorsement of the arrangements for the procurement of consultants. It was noted that the process for preparing a Local Plan was largely unchanged from that used for Development Plan Documents under the Local Development Framework. A simplified illustration of the key stages was set out in Appendix 1 to the report; whilst Appendix 2 represented a draft timetable for completing the Local Plan. In response to Members' concern, the Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure was confident that quality control of the evidence base would remain high and it was expected that costs would be shared proportionately where evidence was prepared and commissioned jointly with other authorities. RECOMMENDED: That (1) the overall programme for the Local Plan production be endorsed; (2) specialist work on population and growth projections for the Borough to 2013 be commissioned to underpin the Local Plan evidence base and provide a basis for considering future growth options; and (3) the joint commissioning with Maidstone Borough Council of specialist work to prepare a new Strategic Housing Market Assessment for the Maidstone and Malling area and to refresh the West Kent Strategic Housing Market Assessment for the remainder of the Borough be endorsed. |
| PE 13/008 |
Duty to Cooperate - Maidstone Borough Council Liaison Decision Notice D130043MEM |
Members were advised of ongoing discussions with Maidstone Borough Council in respect of strategic planning matters, including progress on the preparation of the Maidstone Local Plan and opportunities for joint commissioning elements of the evidence base. It was reported that the Duty to Cooperate did not necessarily mean a duty to agree and proactive debate would continue on how best to collaborate in addressing cross boundary strategic planning issues. RECOMMENDED: That the contents of the report be noted and the continued liaison and potential joint working arrangements with Maidstone Borough Council in respect of the Local Plan evidence base be endorsed. |
| PE 13/009 |
Local Flood Risk Management Strategy for Kent Decision Notice D130044MEM |
The Director of Planning, Transport and Leisure advised of Kent County Council's consultation upon its countywide plan for managing the risks from local flooding . An initial response which had been submitted to meet the deadline of 28 February 2013 was presented for endorsement. The Advisory Board recognised that previous input by the Borough Council at the draft stage had already achieved some key changes in the document. RECOMMENDED: That the response to the consultation, as set out in Annex 1 to the report, be endorsed. |
| PE 13/010 |
Local Pinch Point Fund Decision Notice D130045MEM |
Members were advised that Kent County Council had submitted three bids for Local Pinch Point funding, which if successful would remove severe congestion problems on the road network, one of which was in the Borough at junction 4 of the M20. RECOMMENDED: That the letter sent to the Department for Transport in support of Kent County Council's bid for Local Pinch Point funding, attached as Annex 1 to the report, be endorsed. |
| MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION | ||
| PE 13/011 |
Development Control |
The Advisory Board was updated on recent key staffing changes, upcoming potential changes in the 'permitted development' regime and procedural matters and appeal performance, in light of a year's experience of the National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Policy for Traveller Sites. Particular reference was made to the Borough Council's defence of appeal decisions and it was noted that the performance reflected a sound decision making approach. |
| PE 13/012 |
Duty to Cooperate - Rochester Airport Development Brief |
The proposals of Medway Council to reconfigure Rochester Airport to provide new opportunities for employment whilst retaining a functioning airport were reported. In addition, there would be a heritage tourist attraction celebrating the airport's past and associated infrastructure improvements. Part of the site fell within the boundary of Tonbridge and Malling. Members were advised that officers had been invited to join a working group led by Medway as the proposals directly affected the Borough and in view of the new duty to cooperate. The report provided an update on progress made so far which Members noted. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| PE 13/013 |
Exclusion of Press and Public |
There were no items considered in private. |