Agenda item

Installation of two bridge structures on derelict, disused land for foot and cycle use. The proposed structures span Teynham Road, The Railway Line and Old Bridge Road.

 

Installation of two bridge structures on derelict, disused land for foot and cycle use. The proposed structures span Teynham Road, The Railway Line and Old Bridge Road

 

(At the commencement of the site inspection for this application the Chairman, indicated that she understood that there had been comments made regarding the conduct of the Development Control Committee concerning this proposal. The Chairman advised that having taken legal advice before the meeting she could assure everyone that the meeting was conducted correctly with the right declarations made. The Chairman added that the other main issue appeared to be her attempts to ensure that the participants adhered to the application in question and not the previous approval.

 

The Chairman said that it was in the interests of the Development Control Committee that there is no shadow of doubt regarding its independence and integrity, and  therefore she would step down from the Chair for this site inspection and hand over to the Vice-Chairman, Councillor McCabe.

 

(The Chairman vacated the Chair which was then taken by the Vice-Chairman, Councillor McCabe for this site inspection).

 

The Senior Planning Officer outlined the proposed development.

 

During the site inspection the following persons spoke on the application

 

1. Mr M Dickerson (Neighbourhood Watch - objector)
2. Ms J Carmody-Atkins (objector)
3. Mr Gilhooly (objector)
4. Mr T Ledger (objector)
5. Mrs M Smith (supporter)
6. Miss J Adams (supporter)
7. Mr N Baker (supporter)
8. Mr B Knox (SPOKES – supporter)

 

The Sub-Committee then viewed the sites of the application. They also viewed the section of the sites from the properties at Bridge Approach, Murton Place, 2B Station Road and two properties at Clare Road including the adjoining pathway.

 

When the meeting was reconvened at The Guildhall, the Vice-Chairman took the Chair during the consideration of this application.

 

When the meeting was reconvened at The Guildhall, the Vice-Chairman proposed that the application be deferred for further discussion at the next meeting of the Development Control Committee to be held on 8 March 2011.

 

A Member indicated that he disagreed with this proposal and indicated that the purpose of the Sub-Committee was to make a recommendation to the Development Control Committee as it had traditionally done so. He requested that the minutes record that he felt that it would be helpful to have a recommendation to guide the Development Control Committee when making its decision on the application.

 

The Sub-Committee then RECOMMENDED -

 

That this application be deferred for further discussion at the meeting of the Development Control Committee to be held on 8 March 2011.

 

(Voting figures: 3 for, 1 against; 1 abstention).

 

Having vacated the Chair for the reasons referred to above, Councillor Samper did not speak or vote on this application.

 

(At the commencement of the meeting -

 

Councillor Eden-Green had a declared personal interest because of his membership of the Kent Wildlife Trust;

 

Councillor Eden-Green had declared another personal interest in the application because he knew two of the public speakers at the site inspection;

 

Councillor Patterson had declared a personal interest in the application because he knew one of the public speakers at the site inspection;

Councillor Samper declared a personal interest in the application because her property adjoined another section of the Crab and Winkle former railway line)