Visitors and members of the public who are unfamiliar with the building and procedures are advised that:

(a)      The fire alarm is a continuous loud ringing. In the event that a fire drill is planned during the meeting, the Chair will advise of this.

(b)      Exit routes from the chamber are located on each side of the room, one directly to a fire escape, the other to the stairs opposite the lifts.

(c)      In the event of the alarm sounding, leave the building via the nearest safe exit and gather at the assembly point on the far side of the car park. Do not leave the assembly point or re-enter the building until advised to do so. Do not use the lifts.

(d)      Anyone unable to use the stairs should make themselves known during this agenda item.

The Chair outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 9 February 2023 (Minute Nos. 645 – 651) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 9 February 2023 (Minute Nos. 645 – 651) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their families or friends.

The Chair will ask Members if they have any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) or disclosable non-pecuniary interests (DNPIs) to declare in respect of items on the agenda. Members with a DPI in an item must leave the room for that item and may not participate in the debate or vote. 

Aside from disclosable interests, where a fair-minded and informed observer would think there was a real possibility that a Member might be biased or predetermined on an item, the Member should declare this and leave the room while that item is considered.

Members who are in any doubt about interests, bias or predetermination should contact the monitoring officer for advice prior to the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

Councillor Mike Baldock explained that in respect of application 2.1 22/505618/FULL Land at School Lane, Newington he had spoken against the previous application at the site but was not pre-determined in respect of this application.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 February 2023 (Minute Nos. 672 - 673) as a correct record.

To consider application 22/503418/OUT Land at Tonge Road, Sittingbourne, Kent.

Update – please note that only the minutes for this item will be considered at this meeting.  The planning application will be considered at a later meeting.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 February 2023 (Minute Nos. 672 – 673) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Chair advised that this application would be considered at the next meeting on 13 April 2023.

To consider the attached report (Parts 2 and 5).

The Council operates a scheme of public speaking at meetings of the Planning Committee. All applications on which the public has registered to speak will be taken first. Requests to speak at the meeting must be registered with Democratic Services (democraticservices@swale.gov.uk or call 01795 417328) by noon on Wednesday 8 March 2023.

Tabled updates for Item 2.1 Land at School Lane, Newington published 07.03.23.

PART 2

Applications for which PERMISSION is recommended

The Planning Consultant introduced the application as set out in the report.  He drew attention to the tabled update, previously emailed to the Committee which provided information on: the updated Heads of Terms; proposed amendment to condition (25); minor corrections to text at paragraphs 2.8, 11.8 and 9.105 of the report; additional information to background papers and plans; and further correspondence with the Parish Council and a Councillor.

Parish Councillor Stephen Harvey, representing Newington Parish Council, spoke against the application.

Chris Simmons, an Objector, spoke against the application.

Chris Loughhead, the Applicant, spoke in support of the application.

A Ward Member spoke against the application.

The Chair moved the officer recommendation to approve the application, and this was seconded by Councillor Ben J Martin.

The Chair invited Members to consider the application and points raised included:

·         Did not consider the issues raised by residents and the Parish Council had been addressed by officers;

·         the Council’s housing supply was not hampered by the lack of a Local Plan;

·         traffic from the site was more likely to travel along the rural lanes to get to the A2;

·         could not see how the application met the requirements of Policy DM26 of the Local Plan;

·         the concerns of Professor Stephen Peckham in respect of air quality and health, as set out on the tabled update had not been addressed;

·         the Railton personal injury collision data was out-of-date, so the highway assessment needed to be updated;

·         the impact on the Newington High Street Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) would be considerable;

·         did not consider Members could make a decision on the application with so many outstanding issues; and

·         concerned about the impact the development would have on the narrow rural lanes.

Councillor Tony Winckless moved a motion for a site visit.  This was seconded by Councillor Ken Rowles.

The Chair invited Members to consider the motion and points raised included:

·         Did not see the point of a site meeting as knew the site well;

·         Kent County Council (KCC) Highways and Transportation did not object to the application and they were the highway experts;

·         would be interested to see the narrow lanes and layout in School Lane, Newington;

·         if KCC Highways and Transportation raised no objection could not see what would be achieved by holding a site meeting; and

·         requested that officers provided responses in respect of air quality concerns and an archaeological report from KCC.

Councillor Mike Baldock moved the following amendment:  That officers also provide responses in respect of air quality concerns and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 789.