PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
 18th July 2007

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

Council Members present: Cllrs Mrs B Brown, D Keeley, C King, L Withey, Mrs S Hunter (Town Clerk)

Members of the Public present: Mr and Mrs Coles, Mr and Mrs Drury, Mr and Mrs Humphreys, Mr and Mrs Aindow, C Kelvie, A Simpson, S Cameron, T Skinner, J Withey, Mr and Mrs Gilbert, L Hasemore, D Ford, C Hasemore, M Dickson, Mr and Mrs Hayes, Mrs Hutchinson, Miss Hutchinson, C Austin, M Pearce, D Calkin, G Morton, G Morgan, G Miners, V Hickmott, R Croucher, S Norton, P Hickmott, J Boyes, L Filmer, Mr and Mrs Capeling, Mr Beswarick, Mr D Anstey

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs C Block, Mrs D Crook, C Grayhurst and Miss A Moloney.
There will be a change to Item 6, which will now be Car Parking Charges and Item 6a will be Hooks Sportsground.

2. Matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2007

Cllr Atkins asked if we had any news regarding the car park at the Town Hall. The Clerk replied, “We have received no replies to our correspondence to date”.

3. Open Forum

3.1 There was a large group of members of the public in attendance who have grave concerns regarding proposed car parking fees for the Tonbridge and Malling car park in Snodland. Their disgust was evident, due to the fact they felt they were not being consulted. Cllr Withey stated their concerns were ill-founded. The Borough Council would only open discussions for review, in all Borough Wards, on the following Tuesday and that no decision would be taken until the Autumn, after all concerned had been consulted. No decision had been made to charge £1.50 for the Rocfort Rd car park. Members of the public were not re assured and they wanted assurance from STC and the STC’s Borough Councillors that they would express Snodland’s views and oppose this. A petition from Snodland was suggested. The Clerk suggested a letter from members of the public would have a much better impact. It was agreed that Paul Hickmott would print off a letter and members of the Council and volunteers would distribute those in the Town. They can be put through the letter box at the Town Hall, or returned to the Office and taken to TMBC for the meeting which will take place on Monday 23 July 2007 . The Borough Councillors in attendance at tonight’s meeting will strongly oppose this proposal.
3.2 A gentleman asked what was happening to the Red Lion public house, it looks terrible and the land could be put to better use. It was explained that this belonged to KCC and the Clerk will write again regarding this.
3.3 Dennis Anstey requested permission from the Town Council to have an archaeological investigation carried out on the land that the Council is about to receive from Berkeley Homes. Talks have taken place with Berkeley Homes, who have no objection to this and the Town Council encourage it.
3.4 Mr S Cameron from the Snodland Scout Group asked if STC will support his application to build a new Scout Hut. Cllr Atkins suggested we take this as an extra item, and the Committee agreed that Item 12 would be to discuss the Scout Hall and Item 13 would be Any Other Items etc.

4. Declaration of Interest

Cllrs Mrs B Brown, D Keeley and L Withey are Borough Councillors
Cllr Mrs K Grayhurst – Item 5.2.7 - Niece.
Cllr Mrs B Keeley – Item 5.2.7 – has worked for this person.

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/07/00436 – Former Peters Pit – Details of footpath, cycleway and bridleway strategy submitted pursuant to condition 26 of permission 05/00989 - Noted
5.2.2 TM/07/01104 – Former Peters Pit – Details of foul and surface water drainage strategy submitted pursuant to condition 7 of permission 05/00989 - Noted
5.2.3 TM/07/01574 – Land part of former British Gas site Church Field – Details of external materials submitted pursuant to condition 2 of permission 04/04078 - Noted
5.2.4 TM/07/01856 – Land rear of 169 – 171 Malling Road – Single storey pitched roof building for use as a dispensing chemist (pharmacy) with associated retail area, staff facilities and parking area – Cllr Atkins, D Brown and the Clerk had a meeting prior to this one with Mr Beswarick and Mr Chantler (from Davgold Surveyors) Since the last planning meeting the security issues have been addressed. Having another pharmacy here will reduce the number of car journeys when visiting the surgery as people who live close by will walk. Street lighting and the question of a lay-by have been part of the response to our concerns.
The issue of the land ownership of the grass verge can be negotiated with the district valuer. Overall this will be good for Snodland – No objection
5.2.5 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) – No objection 5.2.6 TM/07/02052 - 6 High Street – Change of use from A1 to A2 – No objection
5.2.7 TM/07/02130 - 36 High Street – Change of use to coffee shop and take away and installation of new shop front – No objection
5.2.8 TM/07/02159 - 36A Hollow Lane – New residential development of 4 houses - No objection

6. Car Parking

A letter from Rev Canon Jim Tipp was read opposing the charges for car parking in Snodland. Cllr King and Cllr Atkins recalled a consultation document regarding parking from TMBC that in effect had nothing to do with charging in Snodland.
Snodland’s response to this consultation does not appear to have been considered.
Cllr Garlick, at short notice on discovering this proposal, has prepared a rough draft opposing this on behalf of the Town Council.
Cllr Garlick thanked Mr Hickmott for bringing this to the Council’s attention and as it is obvious from the Open Forum, everyone in Snodland is strongly opposed to any charges, the Town Council will put in as much effort as possible to oppose this.

6a. Hooks Sportsground

Cllr Atkins reported that the Mill land was put out to tender on Monday of this week. When their land is sold it unlocks the funding for our development at Potyns.
Cllr Mrs Grayhurst left the meeting.

7. Mineral Plan Review

The Vice Chairman is in touch with KCC regarding Holborough Park The Section 106 Agreement will need to be looked at closely as Cllr Atkins feels the improvement work to the park has been stalled. Cllr Garlick will liaise with Cllr Miss Moloney before the next meeting to see if any progress has been made.

8. Extension at Potyns

The Council is still waiting from the handover of the land. A three party legal document is being prepared, which will have to be signed before this takes place. When this takes place the Council will be in a position to seek tenders for the soil survey etc. The Council is trying to arrange a meeting with Lafarge re extra land for the Cemetery and we need to get an up to date copy of the Section 106 Agreement.

9. Snodland Riverside Project

The Council is currently seeking Lottery funding. Cllrs Atkins, D Brown and Garlick are having a meeting with Dr Ashbee on Sunday to discuss a portfolio.

10. Surplus Land at Catts Alley

A meeting was held earlier this evening with Mr Robert Beswarick and we hope to move this forward in the near future.

11. Naming of Parks and Streets

The names to put forward for the Holborough development are – Higham, Alisander, Brock Shaw and Edwards.

12. Scout Hall

The Scouts vision of the hall is in the style of the current building at an approximate cost of £25,000. We will support an application of this kind.

13. Any other items which the Chairman has decided are urgent owing to special Circumstances

There being no other business the meeting closed at 10.15 pm.