PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
 25th February 2008

Committee Members present: Cllrs B Garlick (Chairman), D Brown (Vice Chairman), J Atkins,
Mrs B Keeley, Miss A Moloney

Council Members present: Cllrs Mrs B Brown, L Withey, Mrs S Hunter Town Clerk

Members of the Public present: Mr Laverty, and several members of the public who did not sign in.

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllrs Mrs D Crook, Cllr C Block, and C Grayhurst

2. Declaration of Interest

Miss A Moloney, L Withey are Borough Councillors on Area 3 Planning Committee.
Cllr B Garlick Item 5.2.2 is a neighbour
Cllr Mrs B Keeley Item 5.2.2 works at the premises, & Item 5.2.10 is a neighbour

3. Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2008

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

4. Open Forum

Mr Laverty asked about rumours he had heard about the police office moving. The Council are unaware of anything and believe this is just rumour; however they will ask this question of the police.
Several members of the public are concerned about item 5.2.7 on the agenda ‘Dene Hall’, and their main objections are the parking, the change to the character of the lane and the increase in the traffic. The council will consider these points when they discuss the item.
Paul Hickmott asked what would happen now that Townsend Hooks buyer had pulled out. The council has only heard unofficial news and will discuss this at the next amenities and recreation meeting, after finding out if there is any truth in the rumour.

5. Planning Applications

5.1 Decisions received
In the Office for perusal.

5.2 Applications for consideration
5.2.1 TM/02/3665 – Holborough Rd Transportation of Reptiles - Noted
5.2.2 TM/08/Temp/0005 – Snodland C of E School- Shelter covered walkway - No objection
5.2.3 TM/07/03934 – Cox’s Barn – Landscaping - No objection
5.2.4 TM/07/04404 – 61 Coombe close – Two Storey Side extension- No Objection
5.2.5 TM/07/04469 – Sth. East Water Co. Rocfort Rd – Extension to existing Car Park - No objection
5.2.6 TM/08/00042 – Land at rear of 169-171 Malling Rd – Revised scheme for pharmacy - No Objection
5.2.7 TM/08/000074 – Dene Hall 269 Malling Rd – Demolition of existing building & Erection of 8 Flats - STC strongly object. Our previous objections have not been
Addressed. This is gross overdevelopment of the site, it relates badly to no’s 1-5 Lakeside , it has unsatisfactory parking and creates a dangerous junction onto an already busy road.
5.2.8 TM/08/00184 - 31 Lakeside – Convert integral garage into dining room – No objection
5.2.9 TM/08/000239 – Land Sth of 48 Holborough Rd – Details of internal materials – Noted
5.2.10 TM/08/00349 – 59 Godden Rd – Two storey rear extension – No Objection
5.2.11 TM/08/00370 – 139 Birling Rd – Two storey rear and side extension – No Objection
5.2.12 TM/08/00407 – 96 Birling Rd – Single storey rear and side extension – No Objection

6. Snodland Riverside Project

The Historical Society is in the progress of researching this.

7. Surplus Land at Catts Alley

The spare land at the other end of Catts Alley is still being discussed.

8. Kent Minerals development framework: withdrawal of submitted development plan

The plans were not acceptable to the inspector. The clerk will keep an eye on any developments here.

9. Trees in Queens Avenue

Cllr D Keeley is in negotiation with Mr Coomber to acquire some suitable trees to place here. The clerk will look into costings for the metal tree protectors, and we will give this one more try, to see if we can replace these trees.

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

The Land Transfer documents for the land at Potyns have been received today. To prevent any further delay it was resolved that the Chairman and the clerk would sign the documents and return them as soon as possible.

The Chairman moved that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting because of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted