Meeting documents

Planning and Transportation Advisory Board
Tuesday, 19th November, 2013 7.30 pm

Place:
Civic Suite, Gibson Building, Kings Hill, West Malling
ItemDescriptionResolution
PART 1 - PUBLIC
PE 13/026 Declarations of interest.
There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct. However, Councillor Mrs Luck referred to the West Malling Local Parking Plan Review and informed the meeting that she was a member of the West Malling Chamber of Commerce. As this interest did not represent a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest or an Other Significant Interest it was not necessary to withdraw from the meeting.
PE 13/027 Minutes
RESOLVED: That the notes of the meeting of the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board held on 4 June 2013 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CABINET
PE 13/028 Response to Draft High Weald and Kent Downs AONB Draft Management Plans and Adoption of Final Plans
The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health outlined the process through which the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan and the High Weald AONB Management Plan had been reviewed.

It proposed the adoption of the High Weald AONB Management Plan and that further time be given for the consideration of the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan, whilst clarification of potential policy conflicts were sought and resolved.

RECOMMENDED: That

(1) the Council resolve to adopt the third edition of the Management Plan for the High Weald AONB by 1 April 2014; and

(2) in respect of the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan, authority be delegated to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health to ensure that the Plan does not conflict with, or appear to conflict with, the NPPF/Draft NPPG/Local Plan and agree any further amendments before recommending that the Council resolve to adopt the Management Plan for the Kent Downs AONB by 1 April 2014.
*Referred to Cabinet
PE 13/029 West Malling Local Parking Plan Review
 
Decision Notice D130138MEM

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health set out a series of action points to improve parking management in West Malling. Comments from the local Steering Group following a review of the outcome of recent changes were also reported.

Members were pleased to note the Steering Group's action points, particularly the request to change from a 4 to 3 hour time limit and extend this to include Saturdays. In addition, Members welcomed the initiative to upgrade ticket machines to require motorists to input registration numbers before a parking ticket was issued.

The use of car parking charges in West Malling as part of an effective car parking management scheme was also discussed and Members hoped that the Steering Group could be encouraged to consider the idea further.

RECOMMENDED: That the report be noted and the Steering Group's Action Points, as set out in the report, be approved.
MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION
PE 13/030 Planning Reforms Update
Members were updated on a number of responses to current Department of Communities and Local Government consultations and other associated matters.

It was confirmed that environment protection policies continued to exist and had great weight in the National Planning Policy Framework and needed to be considered and referenced in planning policy.

The Cabinet Member of Planning and Transportation referred to the Chairman's, and his ward colleague's, recent response to the Housing Standards Review Consultation which she was confident encapsulated the views of the Advisory Board. Members were invited to contact the Chairman if they wished to see this response.

Finally, Members were advised of recent proposals to 'thin-down' the range and content of secondary legislation and further details would be reported to the next meeting of the Advisory Board.
PE 13/031 Local Plan and Duty to Cooperate Update
The Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health provided Members with an update on progress of the Local Plan, together with strategic planning matters relevant to the Duty to Cooperate.

It was reported that significant progress had been made in preparing the Strategic Housing Market Assessment, which was a key piece of the Local Plan evidence base and would, to some extent, determine the amount of housing land that would need to be provided. A briefing on the headline messages, figures and likely challenges would be provided to all Members early in the New Year.

Members were also pleased to note proactive and responsive communication with parish councils.
PE 13/032 Update on Transport Issues
The report provided an update on a range of current transportation issues affecting the Borough, which were noted by Members.

Particular reference was made to the interim report of the Airport Commission which was likely to be published in December 2013. It was reported that the Commission seemed likely to conclude that further new runway capacity was required. The advantages and disadvantages of a second runway at Gatwick, set out in the report, were noted by Members.

The Kent County Councillor for Malling Rural East updated the County's position on several issues including the Dartford Crossing, airport capacity and pinch point bids.
MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE
PE 13/033 Exclusion of Press and Public
There were no matters considered in private.
The meeting ended at 2038 hours

Attendance Details

Present:
Cllr D A S Davis (Chairman), Cllr M Parry-Waller (Vice-Chairman), Cllr J Atkins, Cllr Mrs J M Bellamy, Cllr Ms V M C Branson, Cllr D J Cure, Cllr M O Davis, Cllr Mrs F A Kemp, Cllr R D Lancaster and Cllr A K Sullivan.
In attendance:
Councillors Mrs Anderson, Balcombe, Balfour, Baldock, Bolt, Coffin, N Heslop, Jessel, Mrs Luck, Miss Moloney, Mrs Murray, Rhodes and Sayer were also present pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No 15.21

An apology for absence was received from Councillor D Smith.