PRESENT:

Cllr David Coomber

Chairman

Cllr Gordon Bird

Cllr Mrs Nancy Bird

Cllr Mrs Pam Coomber

Cllr David Miller

Cllr Geoff Moore

Mrs Roxana Brammer

Clerk

Action point

1

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr Gary Etheridge

At work

It was proposed by Cllr Coomber, seconded by Cllr Bird and agreed this apology be accepted.

2

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None.

3

ANY OTHER BUSINESS OF AN URGENT NATURE

Cllr Mrs Coomber suggested that Planning Committee meetings be held in future in the afternoons. After discussion this was agreed, meetings to commence at 2.30 pm.

4

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 24 AUGUST 2006

It was proposed by Cllr Miller seconded by Cllr Moore and agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 24 August 2006 be signed as a correct record.

5

APPLICATIONS

a

MC2006/1602 : Wainscott Primary School, Wainscott Road, Wainscott: Renewal of dangerous fence with new council style

No objection

b

MC2006/1586 : 2-8 Cooling Road, Frindsbury: Demolition and change of use of existing workshops for proposed residential development of 19 flats, car parking, bin storage and frontage boundary walling

The applicant himself has stated: "(The site) is completely surrounded by 2 storey terraced houises and semi detached bungalows". The Parish Council considers that the proposed 3 and 4 storey blocks of flats are totally out of keeping with the area. They would be a dominant feature in the street scene and would cause loss of amenity to surrounding residents. Even though this application shows the blocks to be closer to Cooling Road than the earlier application for 24 flats on the site residents of Chatsworth Drive and Chartwell Close to the rear would still be affected and the potential for overlooking of private gardens remains.

The access to the site is shown as opposite Hilltop Road. The extra traffic generated by the flats would increase traffic congestion, especially at busy times of the day. It is in close proximity to Hilltop Primary School and the controlled crossing that has been constructed to help schoolchildren and their parents. The Parish Council is therefore objecting on highway grounds.

It is considered that the number of parking spaces to be provided is insufficient. In an area of inadequate public transport it is likely that car ownership for each flat will be at least 2. Visitors' parking should also be provided. It is inevitable that parking will overspill onto Cooling Road which is unsuitable at this point or into Hilltop Road, near the school, which already has parking problems.

c

MC2006/1450: 4 Karloff Way, Wainscott: Conversion of garage to games room

No objection.

d

MC2006/1685: The Old Vicarage, Upnor Road, Lower Upnor: Conservation area consent for the part demolition of timber/block workshop and store

No objection

e

MC2006/1687: The Old Vicarage, Upnor Road, Lower Upnor: Construction of a detached workshop/store

No objection.

6

DECISIONS

The decision as listed on the agenda was received.

7

APPEALS & OTHER MATTERS

a

Felling of Trees, Lower Upnor

No response had been received from Medway Council's Tree Officer and the Clerk was requested to pursue the matter.

9

LICENSING APPLICATIONS

No applications received.