Agenda item

All Saints Ward

Construction of 34 dwellings together with access, parking, landscaping, open space and associated infrastructure and earthworks.

Discussion:

The Senior Planner outlined the application in detail for the construction of 34 dwellings together with access, parking, landscaping, open space and associated infrastructure and earthworks.

The Senior Planner brought Members’ attention to the supplementary agenda advice sheet which included an additional representation and officer’s comments.

The Senior Planner clarified, using the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Consultation Zones and the HSE Land Use Planning Methodology slides from the presentation, that as there would be 34 dwellings, there could be an increased risk of harm due to the proximity of hazardous substances stored at the National Grid, Grain. 

With the agreement of the Committee, Councillor Spalding addressed the Committee as Ward Councillor and raised the following concerns:

• Although the development was considered good for families there were issues with the local infrastructure including access, the lack of local school places and GP’ surgeries.
• Parking would be an issue and emergency vehicles could encounter problems gaining access for any emergencies.  Could disabled parking spaces be reviewed?
• Current issues with Southern Water with poor localised water pressure.
• Could the developer look at the access to the site, improve the junction and resurface the road to improve road safety for the residents, especially due to additional construction vehicles.
• Mosquitos were a major problem on the Isle of Grain, could something be done within the new dwellings to prevent residents getting bitten. 

The Committee discussed the planning application noting the points raised by the Ward Councillor and Members were in favour of the 34 dwellings being 100% affordable.  They considered the development similar, in design, to neighbouring dwellings.

There were concerns with the narrow roads, parked cars, emergency access and the capacity at Four Elms Hill roundabout.  The Highways Consultant acknowledged that Four Elms Hill roundabout was a known congestion area, however, it was projected that the development would generate an additional 13 vehicles during peak hours which equated to 1 in every 4 ½ minutes, which was not regarded as having a particularly severe impact on the traffic. 

In response to concerns, the Senior Planner confirmed that mosquito repellent planting could be secured via a submission pursuant to the landscaping condition.  

Members requested that MHS Homes, the registered provider of the affordable homes, assess Medway nominations as a priority.  The Senior Planner confirmed that local connection cascade would be implemented which would allow as many Grain residents as possible to reside within the development.

The Chief Planning Officer advised Members that the planning application in Edinburgh Road recommended a resolution for approval subject to the requirements, as set out in the agenda, to notify the HSE for them to decide if they wished to pursue a call in to the Secretary of State and for the assessment of the Grain Local Wildlife site to be submitted and assessed by KCC Ecology. 

Decision:      

Approved subject to:

a)    Resolution to approve subject to:

i)               Notification of HSE to decide if they wish a call into the Secretary of State to be considered.

ii)              For the assessment of the Grain Local Wildlife site to be submitted and assessed by KCC Ecology.

b)    Conditions 1 to 24 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report and the landscape condition being reviewed to include mosquito repellent planting.