Agenda and minutes

Members are reminded of their obligation under the Council’s Code of Conduct to disclose any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Other Significant Interests in any matter(s) to be considered or being considered at the meeting. These are explained in the Code of Conduct on the Council’s website at Code of conduct for members – Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (tmbc.gov.uk).

Members in any doubt about such declarations are advised to contact Legal or Democratic Services in advance of the meeting.

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 16 October 2025.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Area 1 Planning Committee held on 16 October 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Glossary of abbreviations used in reports to the Area Planning Committee (attached for information)

Any supplementary matters will be circulated via report in advance of the meeting and published to the website.

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 tabled at the meeting.

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 buildings and erection of eight residential dwellings together with access, parking, drainage, landscaping, and associated works.

Demolition of existing buildings and erection of eight residential dwellings together with access, parking, drainage, landscaping, and associated works.

Due regard was given to the determining issues detailed in the report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, as well as the points raised by the speakers.  Members expressed concerns regarding the location of the site lying outside of any defined boundary and within the Metropolitan Green Belt and Countryside, proposed site access arrangement and safety due to poor access to the public highway, potential impact on residential amenity, and risk of surface water flooding.

However, it was acknowledged that the proposed scheme supported the overarching aims of national and local planning policy in relation to housing delivery by providing eight dwellings and supported economic growth and productivity both in the short term and during the lifetime of the development.  Therefore, on balance, it was considered that no unacceptable impact arising from the proposal had been identified that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the potential benefits of the scheme.

It was proposed by Councillor M Hood (Chair), seconded by Councillor J Clokey, and the Committee

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

(1)          the signing of a section 106 agreement; and

(2)          Amended Condition 8:

Prior to the erection of any dwellings on the site the access shall be implemented as shown on the approved plans. No obstructions over 1.05 metres above carriageway level within the splays, or 0.6 metres where a footway crosses the access, and thereafter retained and maintained as such.

Reason: In the interests of general amenity and highway safety.

[Speakers: Mr D Malkinson, Ms J Hampson (Agent on behalf of Mr I McIntyre), Mrs E Smith, Ms S Kennedy and Ms G Shukla (members of the public) and Mr D Bedford (Agent on behalf of the Applicant) addressed the Committee in person.]

To receive and note any update in respect of planning appeals, public inquiries and hearings held since the last meeting of the Planning Committee.

It was noted that there had been no planning appeals, public inquiries or hearings since the last meeting of the Planning 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.