Agenda and minutes

To approve the record of the meeting held on 23 April 2014.

The record of the meeting held on 23 April 2014 was agreed and signed by the Chairman as correct. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs Diane Chambers, Gilry, Mackness and Purdy.

The Chairman will announce any late items which do not appear on the main agenda but which he has agreed should be considered by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the report. 

There were none.

The Chairman announced the following:-

1. Members were reminded that on Tuesday 27 May, planning presentations were scheduled on the Solar Farm and the Section 106 agreement for J5 and J6 at Chatham Dockside. To date only six Members had indicated that they were attending the presentations and therefore Members were requested to return their reply slips as soon as possible.
2. Members were advised that there would be a Special Meeting of the Planning Committee on Wednesday 2 July 2014 for the purposes of considering the planning application for the Lodge Hill development.
3. The Committee was advised that at the Annual Meeting of the Council on 14 May 2014, Councillor Christine Godwin had replaced Councillor Colman on this Committee. The Chairman welcomed Councillor Christine Godwin to the Planning Committee.

4.   The Chairman informed the Committee that this would be last ordinary meeting of the Planning Committee attended by Hannah Langford – Senior Lawyer (Planning and Projects) as she was soon to leave the employment of Medway Council. The Committee wished Hannah all the best for the future 

A member need only disclose at any meeting the existence of a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) in a matter to be considered at that meeting if that DPI has not been entered on the disclosable pecuniary interests register maintained by the Monitoring Officer.

A member disclosing a DPI at a meeting must thereafter notify the Monitoring Officer in writing of that interest within 28 days from the date of disclosure at the meeting.

A member may not participate in a discussion of or vote on any matter in which he or she has a DPI (both those already registered and those disclosed at the meeting) and must withdraw from the room during such discussion/vote.

Members may choose to voluntarily disclose a DPI at a meeting even if it is registered on the council’s register of disclosable pecuniary interests but there is no legal requirement to do so.

Members should also ensure they disclose any other interests which may give rise to a conflict under the council’s code of conduct.

In line with the training provided to members by the Monitoring Officer members will also need to consider bias and pre-determination in certain circumstances and whether they have a conflict of interest or should otherwise leave the room for Code reasons. 

Any member who joins the meeting after the start of the officer presentation on an item of business for determination or, leaves the meeting during the officer presentation or debate on an item of business for determination is not permitted to participate in the decision making and voting for that particular item of business.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other interests

Councillor Christine Godwin referring to planning application MC/13/2210 – Sectors 10, 11/15 and 13 Island Way West, St Mary’s Island, Chatham Maritime advised the Committee that her husband Councillor Paul Godwin was a Trustee of the Chatham Maritime Trust.

Councillor Harriott referring to planning application MC/14/0110 – Rainham Mark Social Club, 56 London Road, Rainham advised the Committee that as he had spoken on this planning application as Ward Councillor at the meeting on 23 April 2014 he would not take part in the consideration and determination of the planning application at this meeting.

Councillor Harriott referring to planning application MC/13/2210 – Sectors 10, 11/15 and 13 Island Way West, St Mary’s Island, Chatham Maritime advised the Committee that his son was a Trustee of the Chatham Maritime Trust.

Councillor Griffiths referring to planning application MC/13/2210 – Sectors 10, 11/15 and 13 Island Way West, St Mary’s Island, Chatham Maritime advised the Committee that he had been a Trustee on the Chatham Maritime Trust until the Annual Council Meeting on 14 May 2014. Therefore he considered that he no longer had an interest to declare.

Councillor Wildey referring to planning application MC/14/0040 – 32 Coppertree Walk, Lordswood, Chatham informed the Committee that he had discussed this application with residents and therefore he would leave the meeting and take no part in the consideration and determination of the planning application.

Twydall

Construction of a terrace of five 3-bedroomed dwellings with associated parking. 

Discussion:

The Senior Planner reminded the Committee that this planning application had been deferred from the meeting on 23 April 2014 to enable Officers to undertake further consideration and discussions with the applicant on a number of issues.

He drew attention to the supplementary agenda advice sheet and advised the Committee that since the meeting on 23 April 2014, the Social Club had constructed a 1.5m wide footpath within the 2.5m wide strip which the Club had retained to the side of the application site. He confirmed that the footpath would be completed at each end to the same detail and quality once the construction of the proposed houses was at a suitable stage. He explained that the footpath could only be extended to Patrixbourne Avenue once planning permission had been granted as currently this land was owned by the Council and it would be sold to the applicant subject to planning permission being granted.

With regard to the turning area at the end of Patrixbourne Avenue, the applicant had advised that the proposed access would be 2m wider than the current access therefore making it easier for vehicles to turn than at present. In addition, there would be no cars parking in front of this access as this would be the entrance to the new dwellings.

The Committee considered the application noting the response from the applicant.

Decision:

Approved with conditions 1 – 11 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report. 

River

Application for approval of reserved matters being access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale pursuant to GL93/10730 and MC/2004/1207 for the construction of 339 dwellings comprising detached, semi-detached and terraced Houses, flats and 'extra care' sheltered housing building (Class C3) and associated garages; Construction of, office building (Class B1), and cafe/coffee shop (Class A3), lay out parking spaces; Public and private amenity areas, drainage infrastructure, estate roads, footpaths and landscaping, including earth amenity bund, surface water outfall, detention ponds with viewing platform and children's play areas and equipment. 

Discussion:

With the agreement of the Committee, Councillor Mackinlay addressed the Committee as Ward Councillor on this planning application.

The Head of Planning outlined the planning application in detail and suggested that if the Committee was minded to approve this application proposed conditions 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 be amended and proposed condition 14 be replaced as set out on the supplementary agenda advice sheet.

The Head of Planning drew attention to various elements of the planning application and, in particular, the level of affordable housing, access routes to the riverside walk, play areas, flood risk measures, ecology and car parking.

The Committee discussed the application and the Head of Planning answered Member’s questions on issues relating to the application site.

Decision:

Approved subject to:

A)                The applicant entering into a deed of variation under the terms of Section 106 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to update the affordable housing section to take account of the changes in legislation and terminology that has occurred since 2005; and

B)                Conditions 1 - 3, 5, 9 - 11, 13, 15 – 18 and 25 – 29 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report and conditions 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 amended as set out below and revised condition 14 as set out below:

4.         Within 3 months of the date of this decision full details of:

               A) A scheme demonstrating how access to the flood wall will be achieved to enable its future maintenance; and

               B) The location of a compound to facilitate the maintenance of the wall shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. No development in relation to plots 19 - 48 (inclusive) and Plots 214-229 (inclusive), as detail on drawing number 1211_PL_004 Rev C, shall commence until the details submitted pursuant to this condition have been approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Thereafter the details as approved shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details prior to the occupation of the residential plots 19 - 48 (inclusive) and Plots 214 - 229 (inclusive). Thereafter the approved details shall be maintained.

Reason:  To ensure that adequate access is available to maintain the existing flood defence wall in accordance with Policy CF13 of the adopted Medway Local Plan 2003 and Policy NRM4 of The South East Plan 2009.

6.         Prior to commencement of any piling or penetrative foundation methods on site full details of the method for piling foundations or any other foundation designs using penetrative methods and any other proposals involving below ground excavation shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The piling works / foundation designs using penetrative methods / any other proposals involving below ground excavation as approved pursuant to this condition shall only be implemented in accordance with the approved details and shall thereafter be maintained.

Reason: To prevent pollution of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

Gillingham North

Application for approval of reserved matters (appearance, internal layout and landscaping) relating to Phases 3 and 4 of the Victory Pier development pursuant to planning consent MC/13/3131. 

Discussion:

The Head of Planning undertook a detailed presentation on this planning application and advised that since despatch of the agenda, the applicant had provided a précis of the parking provision at Victory Pier, a copy of which was appended to the supplementary agenda advice sheet.

The Committee discussed the application noting that following the recent planning approval for a hotel in close proximity to this application site, as the proposed hotel was smaller than originally envisaged, a number of car parking spaces had been freed up on the application site.

Decision:

Approved subject to:

A)            Referral to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as the PHADI + consultation system generated an objection to the proposal on the grounds of existing Hazardous Consents remaining on the site.  Following a 'resolution to approve' a 21-day period of consultation with the HSE must take place giving the HSE the option to ask for referral to the Secretary of State on the basis of a continued objection to the proposal.

B)            Conditions 1 – 5 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report.

Gillingham North

Application for approval of reserved matters (landscaping) relating to Phases 1 and 4 of the Victory Pier development pursuant to planning consent MC/13/3131. 

Discussion:

The Head of Planning undertook a detailed presentation on this planning application and advised that since despatch of the agenda, the applicant had provided a précis of the parking provision at Victory Pier, a copy of which was appended to the supplementary agenda advice sheet.

Decision:

Approved subject to:

A)             Referral to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as the PHADI + consultation system generated an objection to the proposal on the grounds of existing Hazardous Consents remaining on the site.  Following a 'resolution to approve' a 21-day period of consultation with the HSE must take place giving the HSE the option to ask for referral to the Secretary of State on the basis of a continued objection to the proposal.

B)            Conditions 1 – 4 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report.

Gillingham North

Change of use to mixed use restaurant/bar (Class A3/A4) and alterations to the rear elevation. 

Discussion:

The Senior Planner outlined the planning application and advised the Committee that since despatch of the agenda, the applicant had submitted further information in support of the application, details of which were appended to the supplementary agenda advice sheet.

The Senior Planner suggested that if the Committee was minded to approve this application, an additional condition be approved requiring submission of a scheme to the Local Planning Authority ensuring that use of the facility after 11pm be restricted to students only.

The Committee discussed the application and noted that should planning approval be granted, the applicants would be required to apply separately for the licences required to operated the restaurant/bar.

Decision:

a)            Approved with conditions 1 – 7 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report and an additional condition 8 as set out below:

8.    Prior to the commencement of the use, hereby permitted, full details of the security arrangements proposed to ensure that entry to the use after 23:00 hours is restricted to students carrying a KentOne or NUS identification shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Thereafter the approved details shall be implemented and maintained.

Reason: To regulate and control the development permitted in the accordance with the details submitted and interests of general amenity in accordance with Policy BNE2 of the Medway Local Plan 2003."

b)         The Head of Planning be requested to ask that the University notify Ward Councillors of those occasions that the 50 late opening events will take place.

Rainham South

Change of use of land for stationing of caravans for residential occupation with associated hardstanding, utility blocks, fencing and septic tank. 

Discussion:

The Senior Planner outlined the planning application and advised the Committee that should it be minded to approve the application, proposed condition 1 would result in such approval being for a temporary period until 31 December 2018

Decision:

Approved with conditions 1 – 5 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report.

Twydall

Construction of a terrace of three 3-bedroomed houses with associated parking, sheds, bin enclosures and modifications to highway island on Beechings Way. 

Discussion:

The Senior Planner outlined the planning application and informed the Committee that should the application be approved, modifications would be undertaken to the highway island in Beechings Way so as to ensure that vehicles could access the application site.

Decision:

Approved with conditions 1 – 14 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report.

Rochester West

Conversion of existing storage building together with construction of first floor extension to create 3 bedroomed dwelling with associated parking, garden, fencing and electric sliding gate. 

Discussion:

The Planning Manager – West outlined the planning application in detail.

Decision:

Approved with conditions 1 – 7 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report.

Lordswood and Capstone

Construction of a part two/part single storey side extension with single storey to rear - demolition of existing conservatory. 

Discussion:

The Planning Manager – West outlined the planning application in detail.

Decision:

Approved with conditions 1 – 4 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report.

This report sets out appeal decisions for the period January – March 2014. 

Discussion:

The Committee received a report for information setting out appeal decisions for the period January – March 2014.

Decision:

The Committee noted the report.