Decisions

(Joint report of Director of Central Services & Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services)

Consideration was given to a number of options in respect of the land at River Lawn including applications for Village Green status or Local Green space designation in the Local Plan and the future rewilding of the site.

There was also an update provided on the Public Rights of Way (PROW) which the Borough Council had previously objected to.  It was reported that a decision on the application made by Kent County Council might not be issued until 2023 due to the backlog of cases.

Following consideration by the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change resolved that:

(1)             the area of land at River Lawn, Tonbridge (shown at Annex 1 to the report) be considered for designation in the Local Plan as a Local Green Space;

(2)             the proposal to partially rewild the land in partnership with the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership be progressed in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change; and

(3)             the objections to the Public Rights of Way Order (PROW) be withdrawn.

(Report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)

The report set out the policy approach for addressing affordable housing and sought approval to use it for Development Management purposes until the Local Plan was adopted.

Following consideration by the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure resolved that:

The Affordable Housing Protocol, as set out at Annex 1 to the report, be approved for adoption by the Council for Development Management purposes, and that final approval of any changes required to the document before publication be delegated to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure and Housing.

(Report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)

The report provided an overview of the Gatwick Northern Runway consultation and draft consultation response.

Following consideration by the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure resolved that:

(1)         The content of the report be noted; and

(2)         The Borough Council’s objection to the northern runway proposals, as set out in the draft consultation response appended to the report, be approved and submitted to Gatwick Airport.

(Report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)

The report provided an update on various matters pertaining to the Development Management function over the course of the year.  It was noted that actions contained within the report would result in some savings in wider service efficiencies to support the Council’s medium term financial strategy.

Following consideration by the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure resolved that:

The contents of the report be noted and regard be had to the following:

(1)                             Officers will commence a review of the Council’s local validation requirements in accordance with the recommended processes set out in the Planning Practice Guidance;

(2)                             Improvements will be made to messaging contained on the Council’s website concerning use of the pre-application advice service and the Council’s approach to not accepting amendments/additional information post submission where Planning Performance Agreements are not in place; and

(3)                             Officers will continue to review the effectiveness of the adopted Section 106 Protocol with a substantive update to be reported to the Board after a further period of implementation.

(Report of Director of Central Services and Deputy Chief Executive)

The report provided Members with information about the revised Community Trigger process.

Following consideration by the Communities and Housing Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Community Services resolved that:

(1)        The Community Trigger process be endorsed.

(Report of Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services)

The report presented the outcome of the recent ‘Roadside Nature Reserve’ (RNR) trial and proposed a future approach for Member consideration that could be adopted at other sites across the borough.

Following careful consideration by the Communities and Housing Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Community Services resolved that:

(1)        that Medway Valley Countryside Partnership report be noted;

(2)        the cutting regime trialled and outlined in the report at 1.3.1 be adopted at other sites across the borough; and

(3)        future sites be identified for Member’s approval and implementation in the 2022 growing season.

(Report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)

The report presented a draft Housing Strategy for members review and approval ahead of public consultation.  The Housing Strategy set out the Council’s strategic approach to housing in the borough for 2022-2027.  A revised and final draft of the Housing Strategy would be presented for further review, approval and adoption as soon as possible.

Following consideration by the Communities and Housing Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Housing resolved that:

(1)        the draft Housing Strategy 2022-2027 be approved for public consultation (as set out at Annex 1); and

(2)        that approval of the final consultation material be delegated to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Housing.