PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
 10th September 2007

Committee Members present: Cllrs B Garlick (Chairman), D Brown (Vice Chairman), J Atkins, C Block,
Mrs D Crook, C Grayhurst, Mrs K Grayhurst, Mrs B Keeley

Council Members present: Cllr D Keeley, Mrs. S Hunter (Town Clerk)

Members of the Public present: Mr. P Gunning, Ms K Wolfe, Mrs. J Hutchinson, Mr R Searing,
Mrs L Howick, Mr C Howick, Mr M Peters

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from, Cllr Miss Moloney.

2. Declaration of Interest

Cllr Mrs Crook, Chairperson of Community Association.
Cllr Mrs Keeley, Item 5.2.8 – her application
Cllr D Keeley is on Borough Planning Committee and Item 5.2.8 – his application

3. Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting of the 18 July 2007

3.1 Item 7.1.9 – In principal should be included here.
3.2 Item 9 – Cllr Atkins reported that there had been a meeting with the Borough Planning

Officers and the Council have been informed that the County Planning Officers are in control of the Section 106 regarding footpaths and cycle ways. Would it be possible to contact them. Cllr C Grayhurst’s apologies were not shown. Cllr Garlick apologised and explained this was due to a virus on the programme and some things had been left off during the clean up.

4. Open Forum

Mr. Jarman of Stevens Close complained about people parking on double yellow lines and across people’s driveways while they use the takeaways, pub etc. He was extremely annoyed that a parking attendant had witnessed this and did not issue any tickets. The Clerk will pass on this information to TMBC and the police, along with photographs taken by Mr Jarman.
4.2 Mr Searing complained about sunken inspection covers in Hollow Lane . The Clerk will report this to Highways.
4.3 Mr and Mrs Howick requested a meeting be arranged with the new Council. The have concerns as to the joining of Phase 1 to the Community Centre and disabled access. Cllr Grayhurst said he will be able to address these issues when a developer has been appointed. Cllr Garlick will speak to Cllr King regarding this.
4.4 Mr Gunning put several questions to the Community Association trustees, which Mrs Howick kindly answered.
4.5 Mr Peters from Metro Plant would like to purchase some land for his business and it would involve using the bridge leading to Brookland Lake which belongs to the Town Council. He would be prepared to reinforce and maintain the bridge. The Council will discuss this matter later in the meeting.

5. Planning Applications

5.1 Decisions received

A number of decision notices had been received and are in the office for perusal.

5.2 Applications for consideration

5.2.1 TM/07/01796 – Former Holborough Quarry – Details of top soil analysis for Phase 2 submitted pursuant to condition 12 of permission 01/01796 - Noted
5.2.2 TM/07/02022 – Land at East Street – Construction of a detached building containing four self-contained apartments (2 no. 1 bedroom and 2 no. 2 bedroom apartments) – Objection – out of character with the surrounding area, no enough space for this type of development
5.2.3 TM/07/02859 – Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, Holborough Road - Conservation area consent: Demolition of existing building - No objection
5.2.4 TM/07/03040 – 9 Annie Road – Detached garage – Objection – need proper plans to make a decision
5.2.5 TM/07/03059 - 131 Birling Road – Details of materials (being Marley Morden roof tile and red brick) submitted pursuant to condition 2 of permission 07/01446 – No objection
5.2.6 TM/07/03072 - Former Holborough Quarry – Details pursuant to condition 2 of permission 01/2746 – Noted
5.2.7 TM/07/03188 – 7 Charles Close – Two storey side extension to form garage, utility and two additional bedrooms – Noted
5.2.8 TM/ 07/03201 – 33 Godden Road – New side attached garage to replace existing refabricated unit – Cllrs Mrs B and D Keeley took no part in this discussion – No objection
5.2.9 TM/07/03225 - 64 Poynder Drive – Revised landscaping scheme details for 64 Poynder Drive submitted pursuant to conditions 5 and 11 of permission 01/02746 – No objection
5.2.10 TM/07/03284 – 58 Poynder Drive - Revised landscaping scheme details for 58 Poynder Drive submitted pursuant to conditions 5 and 11 of permission 01/02746 – No objection
5.2.11 TM/07/03311 – Land between A228 on west bank of Medway and Peter Hall Road Wouldham – Details of external materials submitted pursuant to condition 2 of permission 05/00990 – Objection – Concerns, there is no access for riverside walk

6. 39 – 41 Brook Street

RECOMMENDED that STC support Mr Peters proposal subject to maintenance to the bridge and financial arrangements that are agreeable to the District Valuer.

7. South East Plan

This will be in the Office for perusal.
Cllrs C Grayhurst and Mrs K Grayhurst made their apologies and left the meeting at 8.45 pm .

8. EDF Energy Wayleave

Agree to a Wayleave.

9. Car Park Extension – Town Hall

It is proposed that this item is wrongly described and should read ‘Town Hall Car Parking – Improvements and Repair’ and that all future correspondence regarding this should carry this heading.
RECOMMENDED to change the heading and the Clerk would reply to TMBC as follows:
The matter was discussed at the Planning Meeting on 10 September 2007 .
Members were unable to agree the Planning Officers “understanding” set out in the email of 15 August 2007 . Members are disappointed that the Planning Officers have not responded to the questions that they raised. They now ask you to respond to the questions raised earlier in this correspondence namely:
1. The Town Council in the course of its normal business removes vegetation and soil from the sites that it maintains without applying for planning permission. Would you kindly explain the circumstances in which planning permission should be sought for such normal maintenance work.
2. The Town Council in the course of its normal business repairs and resurfaces footpaths, vehicle tracks and parking spaces without applying for planning permission. Would you kindly explain the circumstances in which planning permission should be sought for such normal maintenance work.

10. TMBC Cycling Strategy

This will be in the Office for perusal.

11. Hooks Sportsground

No update.

12. Mineral Plan Review

No update, however Cllr Atkins proposes a meeting be arranged with KCC to discuss the Council’s priorities regarding Holborough Park .

13. Extension at Potyns

There is no current update and Cllr Garlick would like to move this item to the Amenities and Recreation Committee.

14. Snodland Riverside Project

Cllr Brown gave a presentation regarding the preservation of this valuable resource archaeologically and educationally for future generations. STC needs to consider asking TMBC if they would place this project in their Capital Plans.
The Clerk will write to the church with the proposals of the Council for their comments.
The Committee agree in principal to proceed with this project.

15. Surplus Land at Catts Alley

Mr Beswarick has another option for this land.
RECOMMENDED to allow Mr Beswarick to pursue this option.

16. Naming of Parks and Streets

If these are required, it will be announced at the start of the meeting, with a paper passed around for Councillors to put their preferences.

17. Any other Items which the Chairman has decided are urgent owing to special circumstances

17.1 A standard letter needs to be sent to 107 Simpson Road regarding their use of Nevill Park.
Cllr Atkins needs to be reimbursed £6.00 for Land Registry search.
17.2 KCC has issued a notice establishing MR594 is a public footpath.
17.3 The consecration of the extension to the Cemetery needs to be arranged as soon as the land is handed to the Council. This can take some considerable length of time.
Cllr King will be informed.
17.4 KCC will be closing the slip-road onto the bypass at Sortmill Road on 8 October for road works. A barrier will be erected to prevent people turning across the bypass. The Office will place notices on the noticeboards and the website.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.45 pm .