Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adeoye, Barrett, Bhutia, Bowler, Buckwell, Curry, Etheridge, Sylvia Griffin, McDonald, Chrissy Stamp and Thorne.

To approve the record of the meeting held on 4 March 2020.

The record of the meeting held on 4 March 2020 was agreed and signed by the Chairman as correct. 

The Committee noted the following updates on planning applications considered on 4 March 2020 which had been progressed by the Head of Planning in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Opposition Spokesperson:

Minute 726   Planning application - MC/19/3107 – Site adjacent to Woodchurch Crescent, Twydall, Gillingham

There was no need to amend conditions. The officer will contact the applicant and advise that in relation to landscape condition the Council would be looking for 2 trees for every one lost and for the size and species to be of a size that will maximise their success on site and avoiding vandalism/removal.

Minute 733   Planning application - MC/19/1736 - Land at White House Farm, Stoke Road, Hoo St Werburgh, Rochester

Following further discussions involving applicants, KCC ecology and the case officer ecological matters were resolved allowing clearance of ecology condition on outline approval without need for further conditions.

Minute 735   Planning application MC/19/2202 – Allhallows Holiday Park, Allhallows Caravan Park,  Allhallows, Rochester

Condition 17 approved as follows:

17.       Prior to the first occupation of any of the caravans hereby approved, details of a path within the open space (including surfacing and width) to run alongside and parallel to the main highway through the site (and the existing PROW) from the site entrance and then alongside the road until it crosses the road and heads towards the river, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The footpath shall be installed in accordance with the approved detail prior to occupation of the 40 caravan hereby approved and shall be retained thereafter.

Reason: In the interest of safety to prevent pedestrian and vehicle conflicts, in compliance with Policies BNE6 and BNE7 of the Medway Local Plan 2003.

Minute 736   Planning application MC/19/2762 - Theatre Royal 102 and 106 High Street, Chatham

Condition 9 approved as follows:

9.         Prior to the bringing into use of the restaurant (Class A3) herein approved a scheme for the extraction and treatment of cooking fumes, including details for the control of noise and vibration from the system  shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Noise from the extraction system (LAeq,T) shall be at least 10dB(A) below the background noise level (LA90,T) at the nearest residential facade, when assessed in accordance with BS4142:2014. The scheme for extraction and treatment of cooking fumes shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details prior to the first use of the restaurant and shall thereafter be retained.

Reason: To ensure that the development does not prejudice the amenities of neighbouring property in accordance with Policy BNE2 of the Medway Local Plan 2003.

It was reported that a fire escape was not necessary.

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

There were none.

Members are invited to disclose any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Significant Interests in accordance with the Member Code of Conduct.  Guidance on this is set out in agenda item 4.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other significant interests (OSIs)

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Diane Chambers declared an interest in planning application MC/20/0230 – Land adjacent to 27 Berengrave Lane, Rainham on the basis that the applicant was known to her and advised that should this application be considered at this meeting, she would leave for the consideration and determination of the application.

Other interests

Councillor Potter referred to planning application MC/20/0230 – Land adjacent to 27 Berengrave Lane, Rainham and advised that as he had been in discussions with shopkeepers concerning this application, should this application be considered at this meeting, he would wish to withdraw from the Committee and address the Committee as Ward Councillor.

The Head of Planning referred to planning application MC/19/2361 – Patmans Wharf, Upnor Road, Upnor, Rochester and advised that as friends had objected to the application, he had had no involvement in the processing of the application.

The Chairman proposed that the order of business be varied to enable consideration of Item 17 – Planning Committee - Constitutional Issues to be considered as the first item.

Decision:

It was agreed that Item 17 - Planning Committee - Constitutional Issues be considered as the first item at this meeting.

River

Part demolition of the existing buildings, construction of new buildings and conversion of the former St Bartholomew's Hospital to provide 155 residential units together with associated car parking, cycle parking, hard and soft landscaping, tree removal, boundary treatment, access, utilities and other associated works, restoration, part demolition and conversion of the Grade II listed mortuary to provide 88 sqm community space Class (D1/D2).

Decision:

Consideration of this application was deferred in line with minute 788.

River Ward

Listed building consent for part demolition of the existing buildings, construction of new buildings and conversion of the former St Bartholomew's Hospital to provide 155 residential units together with associated car parking, cycle parking, hard and soft landscaping, tree removal, boundary treatment, access, utilities and other associated works, restoration, part demolition and conversion of the Grade II listed mortuary to provide 88 sqm community space (Class D1/D2).

Decision:

Consideration of this application was deferred in line with minute 788.

Gillingham North

Construction of a Foodstore (Use Class A1 - Retail)  together with associated car and cycle parking, servicing, landscaping, and associated works.

Decision:

Consideration of this application was deferred in line with minute 788.

Strood Rural

Change of use from boat storage yard to residential, construction of six 3 bed terraced houses and two 2 bed flats with associated landscaping and parking.

Decision:

Consideration of this application was deferred in line with minute 788.

Rochester South and Horsted

Change of use of land for a transport distribution hub (Use Class B8) together with construction of new vehicular access on Stoney Lane, improvements to both Stoney Lane and Rochester Road/Maidstone Road, levelling and hard surfacing of the site, stationing of a portable building to provide office and employee welfare facilities, and other ancillary development including external lighting.

Decision:

Consideration of this application was deferred in line with minute 788.

Rochester West

Construction of a new vehicle access onto classified road (B2097 Maidstone Road) including earthworks and landscaping.

Decision:

Consideration of this application was deferred in line with minute 788.

Strood North

Construction of a gable end to facilitate additional living accommodation with Juliette balcony. Two new window openings to first floor elevation & replacement window to existing ground floor. 

Decision:

Consideration of this application was deferred in line with minute 788.

Cuxton and Halling

Construction of an extra care facility comprising of thirty six 1-bedroom and fifty two 2-bedroom apartments with communal facilities including restaurant, offices and a separate retail unit (Class A1) with associated landscaping, access, parking and infrastructure.

Decision:

Consideration of this application was deferred in line with minute788. 

Strood Rural

Application for approval of reserved matters (access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) pursuant to planning permission MC/17/4068 (outline application with all matters reserved for construction of a pair of semi-detached houses with associated parking).

Decision:

Consideration of this application was deferred in line with minute 788. 

Rainham North

Construction of two 5-bedroom detached dwellings with associated parking - removal of existing garage.

Decision:

Consideration of this application was deferred in line with minute788. 

Walderslade

Variation to condition 2 on planning permission MC/02/0300 to extend operating hours opening times to 08:00 - 20:00hrs  Monday - Saturday and 08:00 - 15:00 Sundays and Public holidays.

Decision:

Consideration of this application was deferred in line with minute788. 

Rainham North

Prior Notification of a proposed change of use from Class A1 (retail) to Class A3 (restaurants and cafes).

Decision:

Consideration of this application was deferred in line with minute788. 

This report asks the Committee to consider a change to the provisions in the employee scheme of delegation relating to the triggers for escalation of planning applications from officer to Committee level for a temporary period with effect from 2 April 2020 until such time as the Government’s guidance on social distancing is lifted.

Discussion:

The Committee considered a report asking the Committee to consider a change to the provisions in the employee scheme of delegation relating to the triggers for escalation of planning applications from officer to Committee level for a temporary period with effect from 2 April 2020 until such time as the Government’s guidance on social distancing in response to the Covid-19 pandemic was lifted.

The Committee considered the report and the Head of Planning outlined the process that would be followed in exercising this extended delegation as set out in paragraph 2 of the report.

The Committee discussed the proposal and it was noted that under the proposed process, should either the Chairman, Vice Chairman or Opposition Spokesperson request that an application be referred to the Planning Committee for determination, the planning application would not be dealt with under delegated powers.

It was noted that should any Member other than the Chairman, Vice Chairman or Opposition Spokesperson submit comments upon an application or ask for the application to be referred to the Committee for determination, this would be included within the report which would be referred to the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Opposition Spokesperson for consideration as part of the process.

Any Ward Councillor wishing to express a view on an application would need to do so in writing.

It was noted that the Head of Planning proposed to send a briefing note to all Members explaining the temporary process and it was suggested that as well as alerting all Members to keep abreast of up and coming planning applications in their Wards from the weekly planning applications list, a draft list of planning applications scheduled for consideration also be circulated so that all Members had advance notice of planning applications due to be considered by the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Opposition Spokesperson.

Decision:

The Committee:

a)        approved a change, for a temporary period with effect from 2 April 2020 until such time as the Government’s guidance on social distancing is lifted, to the scheme of employee delegations relating to the determination of planning applications, as set out paragraph 2.5 of the reportand shown as tracked changes in Appendix A to this report and agreed that the consequential changes to the Constitution should be approved by the Monitoring Officer as minor changes under his delegations.

b)            approved the process for consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Opposition Spokesperson to enable them to escalate any planning applications to Committee that will otherwise be determined by the Director of Place and Deputy Chief Executive under these temporary arrangements as set out in paragraph 2.6 of the report.

c)            acknowledged that it may not be possible to deal with all planning applications before they go out of time but in recognition of the severity of the current national situation across the country, expressed a desire for applicants to be patient and work with the Head of Planning and his Team and not to submit appeals against non-determination.