Issue - meetings

Demolition of existing building and the erection of a new building comprising a mixed use office and workshop space (Class E(g)) and detached garage to rear.

Demolition of existing workshop and office space and replacement with new mixed use office and workshop space (Class E) and detached garage to rear.

Demolition of existing workshop and office space and replacement with new mixed use office and workshop space (Class E) and detached garage to rear.

After careful consideration of the points raised by the speakers and the submitted details, conditions and informatives set out in the report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, Members expressed significant concerns in respect of the potential impact of the proposed mixed use property on the settings of the nearby listed buildings and the neighbouring residential area and potential implications relating to highway safety, including parking provision and vehicle turning facilities.

It was proposed by Cllr P Hickmott, seconded by Cllr S Bell, that a Members’ Site inspection be undertaken, on the grounds that:

(1)          particular site factors were so significant in terms of weight attached to them, relative to other factors, and that a site inspection would be the only way to assess those factors;

(2)          it was essential in order to reach a view on an application that the specific and particular characteristics of the site needed to be viewed on the ground in order to assess the broader material impact of the proposal; and

(3)          the proposal raised specific matters in respect of site characteristics, the importance of which could only be established by means of a site inspection. 

This motion was supported by the Committee unanimously.  Members further requested that an officer from Kent County Council Highways be invited to attend the Members’ Site Inspection.

RESOLVED:  That the application be DEFERRED for a Members’ Site Inspection in accordance with Paragraphs E6.3 (a), (b) and (c) of the Borough Council’s Constitution, Protocol E – Members’ Planning Code of Good Practice.

[Speakers: Ms M Douglas, Mrs D Hart, Mr C Twyman, Mr C Green, Ms L Wheeldon, Mr C Twyman (on behalf of Ms E Hills), Mrs D Hart (on behalf of Mr D Carslaw), Ms F Ray, Mrs D Hart (on behalf of Mr J Humphries), Mrs D Eden-Green, Mrs D Hart (on behalf of Mr G Hart), Ms M Douglas (on behalf of Ms J Newman), Mr J Eden-Green, Mr J Eden-Green (on behalf of Ms T Allingham) and Mrs D Eden-Green (on behalf of Ms E Lewis) (members of the public) and Mr P Hadley (Agent on behalf of the Applicant) addressed the Committee in person.]