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 3 Planning Committee held on 5 June 2025.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Area 3 Planning Committee held on 5 June 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. 

Full planning permission for development at Cobdown Park to provide a football training centre (sui generis), comprising of  the demolition and redevelopment of existing Clubhouse building, refurbishment of existing Academy building; demolition of ancillary buildings and structures across the Site; provision of new grounds maintenance building and service area; refurbishment of existing pavilion building to provide upgraded changing and kitchen facilities; provision of new upgraded grass football pitches and upgrade of existing synthetic surface; new areas for car and cycle parking; upgrade to existing sports lighting; boundary treatment and hard and soft landscaping and associated site infrastructure and site plant.

Full planning permission for development at Cobdown Park to provide a football training centre (sui generis), comprising of the demolition and redevelopment of existing Clubhouse building, refurbishment of existing Academy building; demolition of ancillary buildings and structures across the Site; provision of new grounds maintenance building and service area; refurbishment of existing pavilion building to provide upgraded changing and kitchen facilities; provision of new upgraded grass football pitches and upgrade of existing synthetic surface; new areas for car and cycle parking; upgrade to existing sports lighting; boundary treatment and hard and soft landscaping and associated site infrastructure and site plant.

Due regard was given to the determining issues detailed in the report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health with particular reference made to the community, social, employment and economic benefits to arise from the proposed scheme, and it was considered that the overall benefits outweighed any detriment caused by the loss, or prejudice to the use, of the area of playing field for any former use, including hockey and croquet.  However, it was noted that the impacted clubs were encouraged to engage with the Council’s Planning Policy Team and Leisure Services to seek to address their needs for sports provision as part of the Local Plan development process that was currently underway.

Furthermore, suggestions were made by Members in respect of implementing low level lighting along the new public right of way to balance safety and ecological concerns, exploring further improvements to mitigate flooding on the footpath to the north-east of the grounds, restricting site traffic during construction to avoid peak school time as part of the Construction Environmental Management Plan, considering future provision for solar panelling on the roof of the new buildings to enhance sustainability and enhancing landscaping plans to ensure the planting of native species for better biodiversity.

It was proposed by Councillor D Thornewell (Chair), seconded by Councillor R Dalton, and the Committee unanimously

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

(1)          the completion of a legal agreement under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) to secure the following:

-       Employment and training obligations in relation to:

o   Local employment and training

o   Local supply chain commitments

-       Travel Plan pursuant to the approved Framework Travel (monitoring fee of £1,422).

-       Community Benefits Plan to include but not limited to:

o   Use of community 3G pitch

o   Use of Cobdown Park Pavillion

o   Use of recreational area

o   Use of car parking facilities

o   Use of wider facilities

o   Details of community outreach and programmes including school outreach, local football clubs’ outreach, SEND days and links to education programmes etc

o   Details of clinics and coaching sessions for local coaches.

-       Details of the proposed Community Liaison Officer.

-       Setup and operate a Management Board  ...  view the full minutes text for item AP3 25/22

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

The report setting out updates in respect of planning appeals, public inquiries and hearings held since the last meeting of the Planning Committee was received and noted.

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.