Members of the committee should declare any interests which fall under the following categories*:

a)    disclosable pecuniary interests (DPI);

b)    other significant interests (OSI);

c)     voluntary announcements of other interests.

Councillor Jackie Meade declared a voluntary announcement in that she is a member of the Planning Committee for Folkestone Town Council. She remained in the meeting during discussion and voting on this item.

To consider and approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on the 27 August 2019. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 August 2019 were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman.

DCL/19/14 Installation of athletic running track and field events sports facility, pavilion and associated parking together with the relocation of dog walking facililty.

DCL/19/14 Installation of athletic running track and field events sports

facility, pavilion and associated parking together with the relocation of dog

walkingfacililty.

Margaret Irving, local resident spoke against the application

Danielle Inglestone, local resident spoke in support of the application

Cllr Richard Wallace, Folkestone Town Council spoke on the application

Guy Holloway, agent spoke on the application.

Proposed by Councillor John Collier

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Jenny Hollingsbee and

Resolved:

1.         That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out at the end of the report and that delegated authority be given to the Chief Planning Officer to agree and finalise the wording of the conditions and add any other conditions that he considers necessary.

2.         That delegated authority be given to the Chief Planning Officer to hold discussions with the applicant and agent in respect of securing the following:

·         Additional cycle spaces Additional tree planting

·         lighting in respect of the pathway leading to the Morehall site.

(Voting: For 12; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

Report DCL/19/15 Change of use from an existing touring and camping caravan park to use for ten mobile chalets and twenty tourers (part of the site previously approved under application Y09/0456/SH).

Report DCL/19/15 Change of use from an existing touring and camping

caravan park to use for ten mobile chalets and twenty tourers (part of the

site previously approved under application Y09/0456/SH).

Jim Smith, agent spoke on the application.

Proposed by Councillor David Wimble

Seconded by Councillor Philip Martin and

Resolved:

That planning permission be approved for the reasons set out below:

1.

Policy BE1 – Standards expected for new development in terms of layout, design, materials etc

            Development is of high quality design.

Policies TM4/TM5 – Static caravans and chalet sites/criteria for provision of new or upgraded caravan and camping site

            The site already has caravans, it is not a greenfield site. Policy TM4 holds less weight due to emerging Local Plan policy. Policies CO1/CO5 – Countryside to be protected for its own sake/protection of local landscape areas

The site is not seen to be more intrusive than the existing situation and with landscaping, this would further mitigateharm.

Policy SS3 – Place Shaping and Sustainable Settlements Strategy

The site is the closest to the town centre and is seen as acceptable in respect sustainability.

Policy CSD3 – Rural and Tourism Development of Shepway

As already stated above this is seen as an acceptable site which already provides tourism for the area.

Policies HB1/NE3/E5 – To protect or enhance the character of the countryside which should be protected for its own intrinsic value, and the character and appearance of Local Landscape Areas

The design is seen as high quality, the application is an acceptable addition to the existing site and the tourism is not contrary to policy E5, however, it was agreed that officers work with the applicant to ensure that no harm is brought to the countryside and that there is an acceptable access onto the site with screening and landscaping.

2.        

Members noted that the development was sited within Flood Zone 3 and that the application was not accompanied by a sequential test. Members considered that although the sequential test had been failed, the benefits out-way the harm. The benefits were considered to be to the economy and the development could be made safe by raising the height of the caravans and that the application should be approved.

3.

That delegated authority be given to the Chief Planning Officer to grant planning permission subject to any conditions that he considers necessary.

(Voting: For 7; Against 2; Abstentions 3)