There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of Area 1 Planning Committee held on 21 May 2020

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Area 1 Planning Committee held on 21 May 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Introduction and Glossary

Decisions were taken on the following applications subject to the pre-requisites, informatives, conditions or reasons for refusal set out in the report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health or in the variations indicated below.  Any supplementary reports were circulated in advance of the meeting and published to the website.

Members of the public addressed the meeting where the required notice had been given and their comments were taken into account by the Committee when determining the application.  Speakers are listed under the relevant planning application shown below. 

Demolition of existing garage and associated buildings and structures and the erection of a 75-bed care home (use class C2) with car parking

Demolition of existing garage and associated buildings and structures and the erection of a 75-bed care home (use class C2) with car parking at 140 Tonbridge Road, Hildenborough.

RESOLVED:  That planning permission be GRANTED in accordance with the submitted details, reasons, conditions and informatives set out in the report of the report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, subject to

(1)         The amendment of condition 16 to read:

16. The effectiveness of the remediation scheme shall be verified in two phases.

(a) The first phase will cover the removal of the fuel storage infrastructure and associated contamination as carried out pursuant to Condition 15 (b) and will be submitted prior to commencement of the development.

(b) Following completion of the remainder of the approved remediation strategy, and prior to the first occupation of the development, a final verification report shall be submitted.

In each case, the verification report shall scientifically and technically demonstrate the effectiveness and completion of that phase of the remediation scheme at above and below ground level and shall be submitted for the information of the Local Planning Authority.

The reports shall be undertaken in accordance with DEFRA and the Environment Agency’s ‘Model Procedures for the Management of Land Contamination, CLR 11’. Where it is identified that further remediation works are necessary, details and a timetable of those works shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority for written approval and shall be fully implemented as approved.

Thereafter, no works shall take place such as to prejudice the effectiveness of the approved scheme of remediation.

Reason: In the interests of amenity, public safety and human health and in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework.

(2)         The addition of conditions 19 and 20 as follows:

19. Any first and second floor windows serving the stairwell in the northernmost corner of the building shall be fitted with obscured glass prior to the first occupation of the building and retained at all times thereafter.

Reason: To minimise the effect of overlooking onto the adjoining property.

20. Prior to the first occupation of the development hereby approved, a scheme for any ventilation system to serve the kitchen and any air conditioning units, ducts, fans or similar apparatus to serve the development as a whole, including their location on the building, appearance and technical specifications shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. The approved scheme shall be fully installed before first occupation of the building and shall thereafter be maintained in strict accordance with the approved details.  

Reason: In the interests of the amenities of nearby properties.

[Speakers: A written statement was read by the Democratic Services Officer on behalf of Hildenborough Parish Council; Mr K Bird (member of the public) and Mr D Bond (Agent) addressed the Committee via video-conferencing.]

Development to provide 15 industrial units for use in association with Use Class B1(c) (light industrial), B2 (general industrial) and B8 (storage and distribution) with ancillary trade counters and associated servicing, parking and landscaping

Development to provide 15 industrial units for use in association with Use Class B1(c) (light industrial), B2 (general industrial) and B8 (storage and distribution) with ancillary trade counters and associated servicing, parking and landscaping at Land fronting Vale Rise at Colas Roads Limited, Vale Road, Tonbridge.

RESOLVED:  That planning permission be GRANTED in accordance with the submitted details, reasons, conditions and informatives set out in the report of the report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, subject to

(1)         The amendment of the Plans List to cite:

Flood Risk Assessment 19-046R-003 REV2 dated 20.04.2020

Proposed Floor Plans C-355-TP-03-B dated 23.03.2020

(2)         The amendment of conditions 16 and 20 to read:

16. The development hereby approved shall be undertaken in strict accordance with the measures and recommendations set out in the Flood Risk Assessment prepared by Bradbrook Consulting Rev 2 dated April 2020

Reason: In the interests of flood prevention

20. Prior to the commencement of any above ground works, a scheme of hard and soft landscaping incorporating how the footway along the site frontages on Vale Road and Vale Rise can, where practicable, be widened to up to 3m in order to make provision for a future footway/cycleway shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall thereafter be undertaken in strict accordance with that scheme, with the associated planting scheme carried out in the first planting season following occupation of the buildings or the completion of the development, whichever is the earlier. Any trees or plants which within 10 years of planting are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and promoting and facilitating sustainable modes of transport in the locality.

(3)         The addition of Informatives 7 and 8:

7. The applicant is reminded that pursuant to the requirements of Condition 20 it will be necessary for them to enter into a Section 278 agreement with Kent County Council.

8. The applicant is strongly encouraged to consider opportunities for incorporating additional renewable energy technologies into the building which Units 5 – 11 will occupy where possible and for measures to support biodiversity including the incorporation of swift boxes where possible within the construction of the buildings.

[Speakers: A written statement was read by the Democratic Services Officer on behalf of Mr S Bowler (member of the public); Mrs F Long on behalf of Tonbridge Bicycle Users Group (member of the public) addressed the Committee via video-conferencing; and a video statement, provided by Mr J Lee (Agent) in advance of the meeting, was presented to the committee.]

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information.

There were no items considered in private.