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 Mrs Thomas.

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.

Councillors Atwood, Backhouse, Mrs Cobbold, Hamilton, Podbury, Poile, Pound, Warne, Bland (Vice-Chairman) and Noakes (Chairman) declared that they had been lobbied by objectors on item PLA174/19 Land Rear Of Santer House Red Oak Hawkhurst Cranbrook Kent.

Councillor Warne declared that she had been lobbied on item PLA173/19 Owlsnest Wood  Tonbridge Road Pembury Royal Tunbridge Wells. The lobbying was in a neutral capacity.

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

Due to the current restrictions Members had not undertaken any site visits.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting dated 13 May 2020 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 PLA173/19 19/01600/FULL Owlsnest Wood  Tonbridge Road Pembury Royal Tunbridge Wells and this was summarised at the meeting by Mrs Bolton, Principal Planning Officer and illustrated by means of a visual presentation.

Updates and additional representation – Since publication of the agenda report, the presenting officer updated as follows:

·         Condition 24 to read: No part of the above ground construction works of the development hereby permitted shall commence until details of the boundary treatment adjacent to the A21 trunk road boundary have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority (who shall consult with Highways England). The approved boundary treatment shall thereafter be constructed prior to first occupation in accordance with the approved plans, and maintained in perpetuity.

Reason: To ensure that the A21 Trunk Road continues to be an effective part of the national system of routes for through traffic in accordance with section 10 of the Highways Act 1980, to satisfy the reasonable requirements of road safety and to prevent environmental damage.  This condition is to ensure satisfactory details are submitted at an appropriate stage to ensure highway safety.

·         Additional Condition (30): No development shall take place until the applicant, or their agents or successors in title, has secured the implementation of a watching brief to be undertaken by an archaeologist approved by the Local Planning Authority so that the excavation is observed and items of interest and finds are recorded. The watching brief shall be in accordance with a written programme and specification which has been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure that features of archaeological interest are properly examined and recorded.  This is a pre-commencement condition to ensure that any items of interest and finds are recorded at an early stage of stage development. 

·         Additional Condition (31): Prior to the commencement of development, full details of the proposed pedestrian entrance off Tonbridge Road, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, including method of installation, position, design and materials.  The approved pedestrian entrance shall be installed prior to first occupation of the building and thereafter maintained in perpetuity.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and the landscape of the area.  This is a pre-commencement condition to ensure early protection of trees and landscaping on the site, important to visual amenity. 

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

Public Objectors

·         Mr Phil Griffin – a neighbour

Public Supporter

·         Mr Brian Bissell, a neighbour

·         Mr Robert Cook (on behalf of the Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust)

·         Mr Tony & Mrs Sarah Warr, a neighbour

·         Lt Col (Retd) Ian G Harper, a neighbour

Borough or ward members (not Committee members)

·         Councillor David Reilly (Pembury)

Matters of Clarification by Officers and Committee Members’ Questions to Officers – Members raised a number of questions and  ...  view the full minutes text for item PLA173/19

Planning Report and Presentation – The Head of Planning Services submitted a report in respect of application PLA174/19 Land Rear Of Santer House Red Oak Hawkhurst Cranbrook Kent and this was summarised at the meeting by Mr Moysey, Senior Planning Officer and illustrated by means of a visual presentation.

Updates and additional representation – Since publication of the agenda report, the presenting officer updated as follows:

·         Condition 2 to read: The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

D-PLG 1598 19C - Landscape Proposals

Ecology Management Plan (dated December 2019)

6435-3-C - Proposed Entrance Arrangements

6435-1-C - Proposed Site Layout Plan

6435/11/B - Plots 1-4 - Elevations

6435/21/B - Plots 5-9 - Elevations

6435-10 - Proposed Floor Plans Plots 1-4

6435-20 - Proposed Floor Plans Plots 5-9

6435/30/B - Site Section A-A

6435/31/B - Site Section B-B

Arboricultural Report (dated December 2019)

06935-jmla-TP-00-DR-D-0200-S4-P02 - Outline Drainage Works GA

06935-jmla-TP-00-DR-D-0210-S4-P02 - Outline External Works GA

06935-jmla-TP-00-DR-D-2255-S4-P03 - Common Parts Maintenance

Proposed External Lighting Details

Reason: To clarify which plans are approved

Registered Speakers – There were 6 speakers that registered in accordance with the Council’s Constitution (Planning Committee Procedure Rules):and all provided a statement which was read out by Mrs Moran the Democratic Services Officer .

Public Objectors

·         Mr Peter Hay – a resident of Hawkhurst

·         Ms Jane Pyne – a resident of Hawkhurst

·         Mr Robert Taylor – a resident of Hawkhurst

·         Ms Charlotte Lawrence – a resident of Hawkhurst

·         Clare Escombe - on behalf of Hawkhurst Parish Council

Public Supporter

·         Mike Pickup MRTPI (Agent for the Applicant – The Park Lane Group)

Matters of Clarification by Officers and Committee Members’ Questions to Officers – Members raised a number of questions and officers confirmed the following:

              i.        That Members should note that the principle of developing the site along with its location and sustainability had already been established in the Outline consent which was granted in 2019.

             ii.        In addition to information already provided in section 7.12 on page 80 of the agenda Mr Moysey read further comments from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s Landscape and Biodiversity Officer which addressed concerns raised about the badgers in the area.

            iii.        Entrance gates from Red Oak that were shown on the original plan had been removed and retaining wall that was currently proposed around the parking area was approximately 1 metre in height.

           iv.        KCC Flood and Water Management had been consulted regarding drainage and they were satisfied with the application proposal.

            v.        That parking on site did adhere to Kent County Council parking standards and no concerns had been raised with regard to Highway Safety measures including no recommendation to consult emergency services.

           vi.        Southern Water had raised no concerns.

          vii.        It was clarified that the land adjacent was not Ancient Woodland.

         viii.        The trees and shrubbery removed since the last site visit were not protected under any tree preservation order and did not need planning, or any other form of consent and any damage caused  ...  view the full minutes text for item PLA174/19

Planning Report and Presentation – The Head of Planning Services submitted a report in respect of application PLA175/19 Flat 2 74 Mount Ephraim Royal Tunbridge Wells and this was summarised at the meeting by Mrs Minney, Planning Officer, and illustrated by means of a visual presentation.

Updates and additional representations – None.

Registered Speakers – None.

Matters of Clarification by Officers and Committee Members’ Questions to Officers – Members raised a number of questions and officers confirmed the following:

              i.        That a railing enclosure has been proposed which would be erected between properties numbered 74 and 75 at a height that would not need planning consent.

Committee Member Discussion – Members  proceeded to discuss the application and the principal issues as follows:

              i.        Concerns were raised about the affect the proposal would have on the traffic in the area and safety of pedestrians.

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 Poile, seconded by Councillor Pound and a vote was taken to approve the application in line with the officer recommendation.

RESOLVED – That application PLA175/19 be granted subject to the plans, conditions and informatives as set out in the agenda report.

RESOLVED – That the application PLA176/19 provided for information, be noted.

RESOLVED – That the application PLA177/19 provided for information, be noted.

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.

RESOLVED – That there was no urgent business for consideration.

The next Planning Committee meeting to be held on Wednesday 1 July 2020, at 10.30am.

The next Planning Committee meeting take place on Wednesday 1 July 2020, at 10.30am.