Agenda and draft minutes

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.

Members can make any declarations of lobbying online at https://fhdcformassembly.tfaforms.net/f/declarations-of-lobbying.Hard copies will also be available at the meeting.

In respect of 24/1249/FH and 24/1334/FH, Councillor Goddard declared that he is working on a development 50 yards from Queens House.

In respect of 24/1363/FH, Councillor Polly Blakemore declared that she knows the owner of Twin Chimneys, a property to the south-west of the site.

In respect of 24/1363/FH, Councillor Shoob declared she is on the Board of Otterpool Park LLP.

Cllr Hollingsbee later declared that 24/1363/FH is within her Ward (North Downs West).

To consider and approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2024 were approved as a correct record, subject to an amendment being made to include the reasons for refusal in respect of 24/0872/FH.

The minutes of the sub-committee meetings held on 24 October 2024 were approved as a correct record.

The minutes of the sub-committee meetings held on 24 October 2024 were approved as a correct record.

Use of land for the stationing of a mobile home for a temporary period for key agricultural workers and the use of part of an agricultural building for the incubation and hatching of poultry.

The application sought use of land for the stationing of a mobile home for a temporary period for key agricultural workers and the use of part of an agricultural building for the incubation and hatching of poultry.

The Planning Officer advised the Committee that two further representations have been received raising objections to the proposal on the basis of possible residential use of the site already taking place, sewage, keeping of livestock, avian flu and the slaughter of livestock at the site.

Local resident, Robert Knight, spoke against the application.

Giles Campbell, the applicant, spoke on the application.

Proposed by Councillor Goddard

Seconded by Councillor Keen; and,

Resolved:

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out at the end of the report, with an informative to be added regarding the colour of the building.

(Voting: 11 For, 0 Against, 1 Abstention)

Re-cladding of the existing building elevations at first, second and third floor, including replacement windows and associated works, including a new exit door at ground floor level.

The application sought re-cladding of the existing building elevations at first, second and third floor, including replacement windows and associated works, including a new exit door at ground floor level.

Sam Bowman, agent, spoke on the application.

Proposed by Councillor Goddard

Seconded by Councillor Mike Blakemore; and,

Resolved:

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.

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

Erection of 5 x 2 bedroom self-contained flats above existing building.

The application sought erection of 5 x 2 bedroom self-contained flats above existing building.

Sam Bowman, agent, spoke on the application.

Proposed by Councillor Thomas

Seconded by Councillor Fuller; and,

Resolved:

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.

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

Retrospective application to incorporate the landscape buffer zone into a residential garden.

This was a retrospective application to incorporate the landscape buffer zone into a residential garden.

Local resident, Patrick Hayes, spoke against the application.

Cllr Chris Johnson spoke on behalf of Hawkinge Town Council.

Ward Cllr James Butcher spoke on the application.

The original recommendation was as follows:

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.

Proposed by Councillor Hollingsbee

Seconded by Councillor Goddard; and,

(Voting: 4 For, 5 Against, 3 Abstentions)

The proposal was therefore lost.

Proposed by Councillor Cooper

Seconded by Councillor Walker; and,

Resolved:

To defer the application to seek clarification on the flooding and drainage impacts relating to the application site. 

(Voting: 8 For, 3 Against, 1 Abstention)

KCC Regulation 3 application KCC/FH/0115/2024 for the erection of a waste transfer station together with an enhanced site access to the A20, amenity blocks, staff and commercial vehicle parking, weighbridge and fuelling areas plus landscaping/ecology areas and SUDS.

This was a KCC Regulation 3 application KCC/FH/0115/2024 for the erection of a waste transfer station together with an enhanced site access to the A20, amenity blocks, staff and commercial vehicle parking, weighbridge and fuelling areas plus landscaping/ecology areas and SUDS.

The Planning Officer advised that a revised odour and air quality assessment had been submitted and forwarded to the Environmental Health team for comments. Delegated authority was sought for officers to amend or remove the points raised on odour impacts prior to issuing comments to Kent County Council.

Resolved:

That the Council raises no objection to the general principle of developing the site for a waste transfer facility. However the following specific concerns are raised to the development as currently proposed, which should be addressed through the submission of amendments and additional information. Further consultation should be undertaken with Folkestone and Hythe District Council once such amendments and information are received:

• Following the correction of irregular drawings, further information should be sought on the assessment of heritage and landscape impacts.
• Improvements should be made to the scale and design of the main waste facility building, specifically to the roof form to raise the standard of design.
• The odour assessment does not include an assessment of likely odour impacts on surrounding land planned for development as part of the garden settlement.
• The application does not include an assessment of existing trees on or surrounding the site and whether these can be suitably protected and safeguarded.
• Further landscape mitigation.

The Committee also requested that information be put forward regarding the routes taken by vehicles, particularly through Saltwood.

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