Agenda item

Rochester South and Horsted

Erection of two hangars, erection of new hangar for Medway Aircraft Preservation Society, erection of fencing and gates, formation of associated car parking areas, fuel tank enclosure, ancillary works and a memorial garden (detailed submission). 

Discussion:

The Head of Planning outlined the planning application and referred to the planning history for this application site.

He drew attention to page 61 of the agenda which set out information relating to the previous planning application considered by the Committee on 4 February 2015 and he outlined the differences between that particular planning application and the planning application now placed before the Committee for consideration.

The Committee therefore noted that the current planning application related to the erection of two hangars, erection of new hangar for the Medway Aircraft Preservation Society, erection of fencing and gates, formation of associated car parking areas, fuel tank enclosure, ancillary works and provision of a memorial garden.

Many of the existing temporary buildings and structures immediately to the north of Hangar 3, including those that currently housed the Medway Aircraft Preservation Society (MAPS) were to be demolished, with the exception of the control tower building and two portacabins housing the airport office and Skytrek office.

The applicant also intended to refurbish elements of the exteriors of Hangars 3 and 4, including new doors and replacement cladding to Hangar 3. However, such works did not require planning permission.

The Head of Planning confirmed that the following elements which had been included in the planning application considered on 4 February 2015 had been removed from the current planning application but were anticipated to be the subject of a separate planning application at a future date:

·         The formation of a tarmac paved runway, which would replace the existing 830 metre long grass track runway 02R/20L;

·         The formation of grass covered bund, with a maximum height of 1.5 metres running along a more or less north/south axis to the west of the proposed hard paved runway;

·         A new control tower;

·         A ‘hub building’ to provide office and administrative facilities for the airport and a café; and

·         The relocation of the airport’s two helipads.

Due to the significant change in the scope of the current planning application, an assessment had been undertaken as to whether an Environmental Impact Assessment would be required and it was confirmed that this would not be required for the current proposals. This assessment had been appended to the report at Appendix A.

The Head of Planning drew attention to the supplementary agenda advice sheet and suggested that if the Committee was minded to approve the application, proposed condition 10 be amended.

In addition, he drew attention to one additional representation which had been received since despatch of the agenda, details of which were appended to the supplementary agenda advice sheet.

The Committee discussed the planning application noting that should the Committee be minded to approve this application, such decision would not create a precedent for any future planning application to be approved as each application was considered on its individual merits.

Decision:

Approved subject to conditions 1 – 9 and 11 – 19 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report and condition 10 amended as follows:

10.       No development above foundation level shall take place until a detailed external lighting strategy has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The external lighting shall be installed as approved and no other external lighting shall be placed on site without the prior consent of the Local Planning Authority.

            Reason: To ensure that the appearance of the development is satisfactory and without prejudice to conditions of visual amenity in the locality, in accordance with Polices BNE1 and BNE5 of the Medway Local Plan 2003.