Agenda and minutes

Councillor Mrs Luck declared an Other Significant Interest related to application TM/13/01952/FL (Mill Yard, 26 Swan Street, West Malling) as the development was adjacent to land in her ownership.  She withdrew from the meeting during the discussion of this item.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of Area 2 Planning Committee held on Wednesday 11 December 2013

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Area 2 Planning Committee held on 11 December 2013 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Introduction and Glossary

Supplementary reports tabled at the meeting

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. 

Erection of a conservatory at Rotary House, Norman Road, West Malling.

RESOLVED:  That the application be

DEFERRED for officers to seek an alternative scheme to overcome the suggested reasons for refusal, specifically with regard to the provision of alternative/additional parking.

[Speaker:  Mr A Eddy – member of the public]

Erection of new agricultural/nursery dwelling and demolition of existing buildings at

Crown Point Nursery, Sevenoaks Road, Ightham.

RESOLVED:  That the application be

APPROVED subject to:

(1)   The applicant entering into a satisfactory Planning Obligation (either a legal agreement or unilateral undertaking) to tie the occupation of the new dwelling to the operation of the agricultural unit (Crown Point Nursery); and

(2)   in accordance with the submitted details, conditions, reasons and informatives set out in the report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health.

[Speakers:  Ightham Parish Council (Mr J Edwards); Dr R Wickham – agent]

Removal of condition 1 of planning permission TM/83/376 (as last varied by permission TM/94/0931/FL) to allow year round use of the whole caravan park at

Four Seasons Park, Labour In Vain Road, Wrotham.

RESOLVED:   That the application be

APPROVED in accordance with the submitted details, conditions, reasons and informatives set out in the report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health; subject to:

(1)         Amended Reason to Condition:

1.       The caravans shall be occupied for holiday purposes only and not as any person’s sole or main place of residence.

Reason:  In order to ensure that the approved holiday accommodation is not used for unauthorised permanent residential occupation and is only used for holiday purposes.

[Speakers:  Wrotham Parish Council (Mr H Rayner); Stansted Parish Council (Mr H Bott) and Mr M Taylor – agent]

Erection of one 3 bedroom (attached) dwelling with shared access and parking and two storey extension to existing house at 1 Mill Cottages, Maidstone Road, Platt.

RESOLVED:  That the application be

DEFERRED for a Members’ Site Inspection

[Speakers:  Platt Parish Council (Mrs P Darby); Mr P Hunt – member of the public and Mr S Hiscocks (AHP Architects and Surveyors) – agent]

Development comprising 4 no. two bedroom town houses and one retail unit plus associated parking and external works at Mill Yard, 26 Swan Street, West Malling.

RESOLVED:  That the application be

DEFERRED for officers to investigate the strategy for management of construction traffic.

Any other items which the Chairman decides are urgent due to special circumstances and of which notice has been given to the Chief Executive.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rules the Chairman decided that due to special circumstances the following item of business was urgent.

The main and supplementary reports of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health provided an update on the implementation and monitoring of the development at Isles Quarry West, Borough Green.

Members were reminded that the planning permission that had been granted was subject to a number of key controlling conditions and accompanied by a S106 agreement.   It was reported that perceived incidents of non-compliance with aspects of the approved scheme had been drawn to the Borough Council’s attention.  In view of this and the current progress of works it was considered appropriate to draw these matters to the attention of the Committee.   The areas of concern were set out and addressed in the reports.  Members were advised that the Borough Council monitored the site appropriately and this would continue together with a continuing dialogue with all parties concerned.

Following continuing investigations into these issues it was recommended that there was no reason for more formal intervention at this stage.  

After careful consideration and serious discussion of the concerns raised, as set out in the main and supplementary reports, Members recognised that there had been a constructive response to locally expressed concerns and that officers had been active in investigating those concerns. In addition, Members were satisfied that appropriate measures were in place to address any perceived concerns and had every confidence in officers and other experts.

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.