No apologies of absence were received. 

The minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on Wednesday 05 February 2025 were signed by the Chair.

To declare any interest members may have in the items contained on this agenda.   When declaring an interest a member must state what their interest is.  Any declared interest will fall into one of the following categories:

A Disclosable Pecuniary Interest which has been or should have been declared to the Monitoring Officer, and in respect of which the member must leave the chamber for the whole of the item in question;

An Other Significant Interest under the Code of Conduct and in respect of which the member must leave the chamber for the whole of the item in question unless exercising the right of public speaking extended to the general public;

A voluntary announcement of another interest not falling into the above categories, made for reasons of transparency.

Cllr Lyn Milner advised that she had previously declared an interest in agenda item 6a. 20240019 - 11 - 13 Queen Street, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2EQ, as she was representing the Town Ward for this item.  As such she would abstain from taking part in discussion and the decision.

The Senior Planner informed the Committee that both applications related to each other, but each application would be heard and determined in turn.

RESOLVED that the application be DELEGATED to the Head of Planning for PERMISSION subject to conclusion of consultation.

That the Head of Planning make any necessary revisions, attach or revise planning conditions to address matters resulting from the above consultation.

The Committee were presented with application 20240019 - 11 - 13 Queen Street, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2EQ.  The application was for the construction of a first and second floor rear extension, creation of a second floor within the existing roof space and alterations to roof to create 3 x 1 bed and 1 x 2 bed flats.

The Senior Planner highlighted key points from the report:

·         The application was in the High Street and Queen Street conservation areas.

·         The property was a two story low level building with commercial use on the ground floor and contains one residential flat.

·         A garden area was located to the rear of the property which was currently for non-residential use.  The area would be improved as part of the application through landscaping. A planting schedule had been provided which would deliver biodiversity net gain.  A soft landscaping condition had been recommended to ensure planting was retained and maintained.

·         The proposed mansard roof extension did not result in any significant increase in height.  The extension would infill a gap between two gables, extending beyond at first and second floor levels.

·         The building would retain a low profile, which was considered a key feature within the conservation area appraisal.  Improvements would be made to the front elevation also.

·         The Conservation Officer had reviewed the proposal and had raised no objections.

·         The flues of the existing building had been reviewed by Environment Protection who raised no objections, subject to conditions.

·         The proposal would see the retention of the commercial unit to the ground floor with 4 additional residential units being created to the upper floors and the retention of the existing ground floor flat.

·         The 1 metre wide accessway would be improved by relocating services with new private gate access, lighting and levelled ground, which would be secured by conditions.

·         A SAMMS payment had been made by the applicant. 

The Head of Planning informed the Committee that due to a procedural error the recommendation had been revised to that set out within the presentation:

The recommendation was that the application be DELEGATED to the Head of Planning to grant PERMISSION subject to conclusion of the current consultation.  That the Head of Planning make any necessary revisions, attach or revise planning conditions to address matters resulting from the above consultation, on the proviso that no substantive objection are raised.

The Chair invited questions for clarification

·         Members raised concerns in regard to fire safety.  The Head of Planning explained that Kent Fire and Rescue raised no concerns and supported the proposals which included the rear garden being utilised as a muster point, if a fire were to occur.  The agent for the application had considered the proposal in light of Building Control requirements and was of the view that it met the relevant requirements.

·         As the only access to the flats, clarity was sought as to whether the alley was of sufficient size to allow residents to manoeuvre large items such as furniture.  The Head of Planning noted that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46a

RESOLVED that Planning PERMISSION is granted, subject to conditions as set out within this report.

The Committee considered application 20240928 - 7 - 9 Queen Street, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2EQ.  The application was for the erection of a first and second floor rear extension. Creation of a second floor within the existing roof space and alterations to the roof to create 1 x 1 bed and 1 x 2 bed flat.

The Senior Planner highlighted key points from the report:

·         The application was in the High Street and Queen Street conservation areas.

·         The property was a two story low level building with commercial use on the ground floor and residential dwellings to the upper floor.

·         This property would share the rear outside space with 11 - 13 Queen Street.

·         The proposed mansard roof extension did not result in any significant increase in height and the building would retain its low level, which was considered a key feature within the conservation area appraisal.

·         The Conservation Officer had reviewed the proposal and had raised no objections, subject to conditions.

·         The flue on the rear elevation of the existing commercial use, had been reviewed by Environment Protection who raised no objections, subject to conditions.

·         Commercial units on ground floor would be retained. The proposal would provide 2 additional residential units on the upper floors, with the two residential dwellings being retained on the first floor.

·         The 1 metre wide accessway would be improved by relocating services with new private gate access, lighting and levelled ground, which would be secured by a condition.

·         A SAMMS payment had been made by the applicant. 

·         A soft landscaping condition had been recommended to ensure planting was retained and maintained.

The Chair invited questions for clarification

·         Members sought clarity on the improvements proposed to the access way.  The Head of Planning outlined that the ground would be levelled, a new secure entrance gate with intercom would be installed and the utilities that were currently fixed to either side of the wall relocated. In addition, there would be PIR lighting which would be movement activated therefore providing sufficient light when needed.

·         Concern was raised in regard to the external metal staircase at the rear of the property and whether this were a slip hazard.  The Head of Planning explained that the steps were already existing, so not a consideration for Planning Committee, however the applicant would have to meet safety standards set by Building Control.  The Senior Planner added that under the new plans the changes to the rear of the property offered shelter to the staircase, so they would no longer be exposed to the elements.

·         Members queried whether as part of the improvements to the landscaping whether handrails would be implemented to assisted those with mobility issues.  The Head of Planning advised that these were not included within the plans, as was a consideration for Building Control, but he would endeavour to discuss this with the applicant.

·         Members reiterated that shop frontage improvements would be appreciated with this application also.  The Head of Planning advised he would engage with the applicant to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46b

A copy of the schedule has been placed in the democracy web library. A hard copy is also available upon request: -

Document library - Gravesham Borough Council

A schedule showing applications determined by the Director (Environment) under delegated powers had been published on the Council’s website.