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LYNSTED with KINGSDOWN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Planning Meeting held on Monday 25th April 2005 at the Belle Friday Centre, London Road, Lynsted
Present:
Councillors; English (Chairman), Baxter, Disney, Champion and Barrett
In attendance: Julia Kitt (Clerk)
Apologies
Cllr Bowling was unwell
Affordable Housing
Jennifer Shaw from Action with Communities in Rural Kent attended, with Andrew Smith (A.S.), from the English Rural Housing Association, an organisation that specialised in affordable housing in small villages. They explained that a site within Lynsted had been offered to them as an ‘exception’ site. An ‘exception’ site cannot be used for market housing, neither does it have planning permission for commercial use. Usual planning constraints do not apply. Small housing schemes on ‘exceptions’ sites were being built in villages throughout Kent for those on low incomes who do not wish to move out of the area. They are made available to those who cannot afford to pay market rents, or buy properties. The owner can never own the property, as it needs to be made available to other people in a similar position. The properties remain in the possession of the Kent Rural Housing Association as a resource for the village.
A Section 106 legal agreement is entered into, such that residents of the parish concerned have ‘first call’ on the accommodation. Residents of named neighbouring parishes can apply if there is no take-up in the ‘host’ parish. The parish council is normally involved in the selection process.
The ACRK/ERHA normally worked with the parish council concerned to identify and progress suitable sites. The site currently offered to them in Lynsted with Kingsdown would be large enough to take eleven houses.
It was pointed out to the speakers, that an affordable housing survey had been carried out in recent years. This had identified a need for 6 to 8 houses. In the mean time a developer had agreed to build 3 ‘affordable’ units as part of a larger estate. Local residents were favoured within a Section 106 agreement. The Parish Council were surprised to learn that a new site had been identified without their involvement.
In discussion, it was clear that the 2001 survey for some reason had not been followed up at the time. The conclusions were now out of date, and a further assessment of need would be required. It would be necessary to raise interest in the issue within the parish, and a Village Information Day was mentioned. Action: Jennifer Shaw would send a suitable advertisement to the Clerk, for inclusion in the Parish News Letter.
Cllr Disney drew attention to the fact that a Parish Plan was being prepared and a questionnaire/survey will be going out soon. Many of the questions appeared to overlap with the sample affordable housing survey circulated at the meeting. It was agreed that a few well-chosen extra questions on the P Plan survey would be most helpful. Issuing two consecutive survey forms could prove counter-productive. Action: Cllr Disney would liase with Andrew Smith and Jennifer Shaw about the design of the questions posed.
There was some discussion over whether the ‘identified’ site would be the most suitable. The Parish Council could have some relevant local knowledge.
Andrew Smith and Jennifer Shaw left the meeting
In order to progress this important matter, it was agreed that Cllrs Disney and Baxter would arrange a meeting with the Area Planning Officer, Swale Borough Council (G Thomas), to discuss sites and other aspects of the subject.
Public Speaking
There were no members of the public wishing to speak
Declarations of Interest
Cllr Jones questioned whether she ought to remain for SW/05/0477, the property it applied to being her former residence. It was agreed that she should stay.
Minutes of the last meeting
The Minutes of the meeting held on the 14th March were agreed.
Matters arising
The works at Granfield were questioned: the house looks as though it will be demolished whereas the application indicated an extension. The Clerk to ask S.B.C. for clarification.
Planning Application
- SW/05/0405. Change of use to keep horses and erect a stable block.
The Parish Council did not object to this application in principle. The site is, however, within the Lyn Valley where development should be avoided (Paragraphs 24 and 36 of the Lynsted Design Statement). It is important, therefore, that the proposed stable be screened, not only from the road, but also from the users of footpaths along the other side of the valley and across its floor (ZR 264 and 268). The stable should be located at the NW side of the hedge that runs along the SW boundary of the ‘owned’ field. The existing stable at N corner of the ‘rented’ field should be removed as part of the permission.
The road signs (‘Cellar Hill’ and ‘Cambridge Lane’), or the fence, should be moved so that the signs are on the road side of the property. At present they are within the field and subject to damage by the animals.
It was noted that the claim, by the applicant, that the combined acreage of the owned and rented field is 1.72 acres. Although this may be sufficient grazing for two ponies, there are clear signs of over-grazing at present.
- SW/05/0477. Conservatory extension and erection of garage block and work room. Cellar Hill Farm, Cellar Hill.
The Parish Council did not object to this application, provided the new structures are in keeping with the existing Listed building and the locality, and use appropriate materials (paragraphs 13, 15, 20, 22, 27 of the Lynsted Design Statement). In this connection, we would question whether the use of external window shutters on the proposed workroom reflects local tradition.
If trees really have to be removed, at least an equivalent number of native species tree specimens should be planted at an appropriate position on the site, to compensate for their loss.
The following application was not received in time for the Agenda. In view of the time available for comment and that it has already been seen once before, it was agreed that it could be discussed at the current meeting.
- ApplicationSW/05/0272 Retention of 11 Seasonal workers caravans at The Picking Shed, Lewson Street
The Parish Council did not object
Planning Decisions
S.B.C. will be discussing SW/05/0130 Land at Lacron at a meeting of the 21st April
- SW/05/0076, Covered Terrace at Medlar House, Lynsted Lane has permission from Swale Borough Council
- TP/05/0012: 50% reduction of Oak, 25% reduction of Alger and a reduction of the height of conifers at Aymers Lodge, The Vallance also has permission from Swale Borough Council
Any Other Planning Business
Further planning applications had been received. A meeting would be held on the 11th May at the Belle Friday Centre, from 7.30PM
Teynham Parish Council kept a table of planning applications and results of the Parish Council and Borough Council. It was agreed that this should be done for this Parish Council.
There were a number of changes occurring at Four Acres, Ludgate Lane. Cllr Barrett agreed to look at this and report to the clerk if she felt any action were required
The meeting closed at 9.20PM
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