Agenda for Planning and Licensing Committee on Tuesday, 29th May, 2018, 7.00 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Civic Centre, Folkestone

Contact: Kate Clark 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Declarations of Interest

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Ms Susie Govett declared a voluntary announcement with regard to planning application Y17/1637/SH as she is the ward councillor for this area.  

 

Councillor Damon Robinson declared a voluntary announcement with regard to Y16/0623/SH as he had a face to face meeting with the applicant.

 

 

 

 

2.

Minutes

To consider and approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2018.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2018 were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman. 

3.

Minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee

To consider and approve the minutes of the meetings held on the 17 April and 14 May 2018.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 17 April and 14 May 2018 were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman

4.

Y16/0623/SH Little Densole Farm, Canterbury Road, Densole

Report DCL/18/01.  Siting of 12 holiday lodges, and erection of a reception building and a store building, together with formation of a fishing lake, a car park area, tennis courts, a children's play area, and a putting green, to create a tourism site.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Siting of 12 holiday lodges, and erection of a reception building and a store building, together with formation of a fishing lake, a car park area, tennis courts, a children's play area, and a putting green, to create a tourism site.

 

Paul Howson, Senior Planning Officer and Claire Dethier, Team Leader, presented the application to Members.

 

Mr Tim Steer, local resident, spoke against the application.  He said that Councillors must have regard to the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise and also referred to the Countryside and Public Rights of Way Act and paragraphs 115 and 116 of the (National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). He said that the definition of major development is not linked to site area but is about local context. His concerns were the size of the development, inconsistencies between the two officer reports and the close proximity to MOD land which is used for military practice.  He said the Council will face another judicial review if the application is approved, the applicant has a right of appeal and as Rule 6 party he would fund an expert witness to support the Council if permission is refused.

 

Councillor Stuart Peall, ward councillor, spoke on behalf a local constituent, Robert Hailey, who is also Vice Chairman of the local branch of the CPRE. He said it was not a finely balanced case, that the development is not appropriate in this location and that it is contrary to policies CSD3 and CSD4 at the heart of the development plan and that no material considerations justify going against the development plan. 

 

Mr David Westgarth, applicant, said that the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Unit comments were at odds with their own management plan and the EIA screening opinion was a fair assessment of the harm. Development would not have a significant or material impact on the AONB, the buildings would be less than 2.5% of the total site area and that although a proposal for holiday lodges in an AONB is not unlawful or unprecedented.  He went on to say that   Hoseasons and Disabled Holidays were in favour of the application which would provide accommodation that would be accessible to all and it would encourage employment, investment and sustainability. He said he has lived in the area 40 years and this will create a long lasting and successful holiday destination.

 

Members discussed the application and officer’s report in detail, referring to the High Court judgement, the findings of Justice Lang and the case law set out within the judgement.  Further discussion comprised of the following:

 

·         This is a complex application and planning policies often point in different directions

·         Paragraphs 115 and 116 are important in the consideration of the application

  • If this is major development, as defined by Para. 116 exceptional circumstances are needed to grant planning permission.  The officer’s report concludes in paragraphs 9.8-9.10 that the development is not major, as defined by the NPPF Para. 116 and this view was not surprising, given the application  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Y17/1637/SH Varne Boat Club, Coast Drive, Greatstone TN28 8NR

Report DCL/18/02.  Change of use of the land to a boat storage area to enlarge the existing boat storage compound (moving boundaries 14m north into the current public car park).

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Change of use of the land to a boat storage area to enlarge the existing boat storage compound (moving boundaries 14m north into the current public car park).

 

Lisette Patching, Development Management Manager, presented the application.

 

Mr Mark Rose, Sailing and Sports Manager, Varne Watersports Club, spoke on the application.

 

Proposed by Councillor Roger Wilkins

Seconded by Councillor Ms Susie Govett and

 

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out at the end of the report and any additional conditions the Head of Planning Services considers to be necessary.

 

(Voting: For 10, Against 0; Abstentions 0)

6.

Y18/0139/SH 15 Highridge, Hythe

Report DCL/18/03.  Erection of single storey rear extension and two storey rear/side extension following demolition of garage, together with erection of a single storey outbuilding with raised deck

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Erection of single storey rear extension and two storey rear/side extension following demolition of garage, together with erection of a single storey outbuilding with raised deck.

 

Lisette Patching, Development Management Manager, presented the application. 

 

Mr Paul Fleury-Watts, applicant, spoke on the application.  His speech focussed on the similarity of this development to his next door neighbour’s extension and that the height of the proposed development is the same as next door.  He did not understand the reasons for the recommendation for refusal. 

 

Miss Patching pointed out that the extension next door is effectively single storey with two dormer windows.  The proposed development was essential two storey, was deemed bulky and dominant and the property already had a large flat roof two storey addition. 

 

Although there was a suggestion of deferral by members, it was made clear that the applicant could resubmit amended proposals at no extra cost. 

 

Councillor Russell Tillson said he understood the recommendation for refusal on the three policy grounds, however did not see this proposal as overbearing and it met the requirements of BE1, SD1 and BE8 and considered the design scale and massing acceptable.. 

 

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Jenny Hollingsbee

Seconded by Councillor Alan Ewart-James and

 

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted as the development meets the requirements of policies SD1, BE1 and BE8 and it is acceptable it terms of design, scale and massing, with delegated authority given to the Head of Planning to impose relevant conditions. 

 

(Voting: For 8; Against 1; Abstentions 1)