Agenda and minutes

Announcement on procedural matters.

The Chairman opened the meeting, introduced Committee members and officers in attendance, and outlined procedural matters of the meeting.

Apologies for absence as reported at the meeting.

Apologies were received from Councillor Pound.

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in items on the agenda.

No declarations of interest were made.

If a Member has been lobbied in connection with any application on the agenda, this should be declared at the start of the meeting, whether by, or in support of, the applicant or objectors.

Members in doubt about such a declaration are advised to contact the Legal Services Manager/Monitoring Officer before the date of the meeting.

No declarations of lobbying were made.

Registered Speakers – There were 6 speakers that registered in accordance with the Council’s Constitution (Planning Committee Procedure Rules)

To note the application sites visited, as recorded at the meeting.

Members had the opportunity to visit the site of application 21/00460/OUT 202 and 230 Upper Grosvenor Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting dated 12 January 2022 be recorded as a correct record.

The running order of the applications listed below is subject to change and will be agreed by the Chairman and announced at the meeting.

Planning Report and Presentation – The Head of Planning Services submitted a report in respect of application PLA126/21 202 and 230 Upper Grosvenor Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent and this was summarised at the meeting by Mr Kevin Hope Principal Planning Officer and illustrated by means of a visual presentation.

Updates and additional representation – Since publication of the agenda report, the presenting officer gave an update on conditions as follows:

·         Additional drawing to condition 3:6943 001 P3  Site Location Plan

·         Amendments to condition 4 c):c) Details of all walls, fences or other means of enclosure including position, alignment, height and materials

·         Amendment to line 1 of condition 19: Notwithstanding the submitted plans and details, prior to the commencement of development details of existing and proposed levels, including details of spoil retention and disposal, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority....

·         Replacement condition 20: Notwithstanding the submitted plans and details, prior to the commencement of development (excluding the demolition of buildings on site and the construction of the access road to the site) full details of electric vehicle (EV) charging points (including passive provision for spaces not served by EV charging points) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: In the interests of promoting emission-free car use and to achieve sustainable development.

·         Additional line to condition 23:j) Details to advise new residents of the LEMP, its aims and the areas/features it covers, how it operates and the reasons for the protective measures within it.

Registered Speakers – There were 6 speakers that registered in accordance with the Council’s Constitution (Planning Committee Procedure Rules)

Public Objectors

·         Ms Trix Tanzerella, member of the public.

·         Mr Luke Engleback, member of the public.

·         Mr Chris Carney, member of the public.

·         Mr Stuart Clayman, member of the public.

Public Supporters

·         Ms Emily Hall, on behalf of the applicant.

Borough Councillor not on the Planning Committee

·         Councillor Peter Lidstone.

Matters of Clarification by Officers and Committee Members’ Questions to Officers included:

              i.        Officers clarified that it was not possible to verify the measurements or images on the visual aids shown by speakers .

             ii.        The historic meadow mentioned by one of the speakers may have been a historical feature of the land however, it was currently a residential garden.

            iii.        Kent County Council (KCC) Highways had raised no objections to the application and their comments were discussed in detail within the report.

           iv.        There was an ecological assessment as part of the application from paragraphs 10.23 onwards, it was confirmed that the Council’s Landscape and Biodiversity officer had raised no objections and was satisfied that the scheme was able to achieve above the proposed 10% net gain for biodiversity.

             v.        The parking provision on site was considered to be suitable, additional parking would introduce more pressure to protected trees on the site.

           vi.        The site was  ...  view the full minutes text for item PLA126/21

Planning Report and Presentation – The Head of Planning Services submitted a report in respect of application PLA127/21 Church House, High Street, Goudhurst, Cranbrook, Kent and this was summarised at the meeting by Mr Michael Taylor Planning Officer and illustrated by means of a visual presentation.

Updates and additional representation – None.

Registered Speakers – There were no speakers that registered in accordance with the Council’s Constitution (Planning Committee Procedure Rules)

Matters of Clarification by Officers and Committee Members’ Questions to Officers included:

              i.        It was confirmed that the application was a like for like replacement.

Committee Member Debate and officer clarification included:

              i.        No matters of significance were discussed.

Decision/voting – On the basis that members were satisfied that all relevant planning considerations had been covered within the report, a motion was proposed by Councillor Hamilton seconded by Councillor Atwood and a vote was taken to approve the application in line with the officer recommendation.

RESOLVED – That application PLA127/21 be granted subject to the plans, conditions and informatives as set out in the agenda report.

RESOLVED – That the list of appeal decisions provided for information, be noted.

To consider any other items which the Chairman decides are urgent, for the reasons to be stated, in accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business for consideration.

The next Planning Committee was scheduled for Thursday 24 February 2022.

The next Planning Committee meeting was scheduled for Thursday 24 February 2022.