Councillor Elliott Jayes (Vice-Chair) took the chair for this meeting and would be referred to as ‘Chair’ for the remainder of these minutes.

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 6 March 2025 (Minute Nos. to-follow) as a correct record.

Minutes (Minute Nos. 728 – 737) added 3 April 2025.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 March 2025 (Minute Nos. 728 - 737) 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.

Councillor Ben J Martin declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Deferred Item 1 24/501929/REM Site A, Land at Preston Fields, Faversham as his employer was listed on Appendix B of the report.

Tabled Paper added 3 April 2025

The Planning Manager (Planning Applications) introduced the application as set out in the report.  He drew attention to the tabled paper from The Faversham Community Land Trust.  The Planning Manager reported that further comments had been received from Ospringe Parish Council who supported the views of Faversham Town Council, as set out in the report.

Town Councillor Trevor Martin, representing Faversham Town Council, spoke against the application.

Josephine Baker, the Applicant, spoke in support of the application.

The Chair confirmed that Members had read the tabled paper.

The Chair moved the officer recommendation to grant planning permission as per the recommendation in the report, and this was seconded by Councillor Hayden Brawn.

The Chair invited Members to make comments, and these included:

·         Still not happy with the affordable housing tenure mix, and suggested the balance be adjusted on future phases of the development;

·         the developer had responded to the issues raised at the Planning Committee on 6 March 2025, and Members now had the evidence before them;

·         the issues raised in terms of housing mix tenure were ‘larger’ than the remit of the Planning Committee; and

·         reluctantly agreed with the recommendation in the report.

Resolved:  That application 24/501929/REM be granted as per the recommendation in the report.

The Team Leader (Planning Applications) introduced the application as set out in the report and he gave two updates.  Firstly, with reference to paragraph 7.33 in the report, he explained that the Strategic Access Management and Monitoring Strategy (SAMMS) tariff had increased from £328.27 to £337.49 since the report was published.  Therefore, a top-up payment of £9.22 would be required before the decision was issued to make the development acceptable in this regard.  Secondly, referring to condition (4) in the report, the Team Leader explained that in a recent appeal decision to remove the condition in question in relation to a separate proposal, the Planning Inspector had allowed the appeal and awarded costs against the Council as there was no adopted planning policy to stipulate ‘at least a 50% reduction in Dwelling Emission Rate’.  He suggested the wording of condition (4) be amended to be more generic and to delete the specific percentage figure.  The Team Leader sought delegated authority to make these changes.

Michael Tamsett, the Agent, spoke in support of the application.

The Chair moved the officer recommendation to grant planning permission as per the recommendation in the report, and this was seconded by Councillor Tony Winckless.

The Chair invited Members to make comments, and these included:

·         Welcomed the addition of a one-bedroom dwelling;

·         suggested a condition be added so that the new dwelling was not amalgamated with the existing adjacent dwelling;

·         noted that there were no objections from neighbouring properties;

·         Swale’s planning policy in terms of sustainability would be required to be changed through the Local Plan process; and

·         clarification sought on the walkway between the two dwellings.

In response, the Team Leader said that any amalgamating of the existing dwelling with the proposed one could be subject to a separate planning application.  He explained that the walkway between the two dwellings was typical of this type of dwelling and he confirmed that the new access point would be from the front.

A Ward Member spoke in support of the application.

Members agreed that delegated authority be given to officers to make the changes outlined in the Team Leader’s update.

Resolved:  That application 24/502403/FULL be granted as per the recommendation in the report with delegated authority given to officers to increase the SAMMS payment to £337.49, and the wording of condition (4) be amended to be more generic, with the deletion of the specific percentage figure.

The Team Leader (Planning Applications) introduced the application as set out in the report.

The Chair moved the officer recommendation to grant planning permission as per the recommendation in the report, and this was seconded by Councillor Andy Booth.

A Ward Member spoke in support of the application and noted that the proposal was no different to similar applications.

A Member suggested that the conversion be insulated as much as it could be.

Resolved:  That application 25/500098/FULL be granted as per the recommendation in the report.

Decisions by County Council and Secretary of State, reported for information.

The incorrect appeal decision had been added to 5.3.  The correct one was added on 2 April 2025.

Decisions by County Council and Secretary of State, reported for information

Item 5.1 – 2 Marsh View, Conyer Road, Conyer, ME9 9HX

Committee or Officer Decision:  DELEGATED REFUSAL

PINS Decision:  APPEAL DISMISSED

Item 5.2 – 23 Barton Hill Drive, Minster-on-Sea, ME12 2NE

Committee or Officer Decision:  DELEGATED REFUSAL

PINS Decision:  APPEAL DISMISSED

Item 5.3 – Land north of 24 Jetty Road, Warden Bay, Sheerness ME12 4PR

Committee or Officer Decision:  DELEGATED REFUSAL

PINS Decision:  APPEAL DISMISSED

The Appeal Decision for this item was tabled.