Meeting Minutes:
Planning and Transport
| Meeting Date: | Monday 7 Apr 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 19:30 |
| Councillors | Jon Aldridge Chairman, Angela Baker, Bill Cummings, Michael Gemmell Smith, Alan Layland, Margot McArthur, Stuart McGregor, Vince Parker, Angela Read Vice-Chairwoman, Michael Stockdale, Jeff Streets, Bob Todd. |
| Committee: | Planning and Transport |
| Venue: | Rickards Hall. 72a High Street Edenbridge, TN8 5AR Kent |
| Notes: | |
| Summary: | Planning Committee |
Agenda
Minutes
Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllrs. J Aldridge, B Cummings, M Gemmel-Smith, and J Streets.
Cllr M McArthur declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 6.2 on the agenda.
The meeting was closed at 7.35 pm
Four members of the public spoke about item 6.4 on the agenda.
The first spoke about the classification of the land that had previously been referred to as well performing greenbelt, but it is now classified as poorly developing greenbelt. The developer referred to it in a report as 'urban fringe' They said were concerned that the lines would keep moving. Another speaker was worried that the bat community onsite was not adequately provided for. Another member of public was concerned that the land next to the medical centre site should be protected in in perpetuity and the the affordable houses would be priced out of reach of local people. Another asked if this development was taken out of the local plan, would other developers building on sites before it be adhering to the NPPF and stated that is was essential to mitigate flooding.
A fifth member of public spoke on the Settlement Hierarchy Consultation, saying that the train service was inadequate, with too few trains and frequent cancellations for the town, there was no minor injuries building or police station and the trading estates had empty units, and asked that if more houses were built where would the people who bought then work, and how would they get there.
The meeting was opened at 7.45 pm.
Members agreed to bring item 6.4 forward to consider first.
Resolved:to adopt the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting on 10th March 2025 p2023-089/1-4, and that they be signed by the Chair of the meeting as a true and accurate record.
Recommendation: Members supported this application.
Recommendation: Members supported this application.
Recommendation: Members supported this application but were concerned about site traffic accessing the site on the single track road.
Recommendation: Members supported this application but made the following comments:
- Members remain concerned about the limited timeframe in which provision for of sites for the community benefit (school, youth club and scout hut) would be secured for the community. Members would like to see these secured in perpetuity.
- Members acknowledged the additional flooding information but felt themselves unqualified to interpret this technical information. Members remained concerned about known surface flooding on the site, and the cumulative impact of development along St Brelades Stream (Kent and Surrey Golf Course, Champions Way, Spitals Cross and this site).
- Members remain concerned about the impact on local infrastructure, especially the local road network and access under the Four Elms Road railway bridge. The additional information did not address this.
- Members acknowledged the additional information on Biodiversity Net Gain, but reiterated their wish for BNG to be on-site or as close as possible within Edenbridge.
- Members reiterated their desire for the development to be included and accounted in the emerging Local Plan.
- Members recommended that a Local Lettings Policy should be agreed for the affordable housing on the site.
Noted and agreed.
Noted and agreed.
Noted and agreed.
Noted and agreed.
Noted and agreed.
Resolved: Members appointed a working group to to look through and update the services an facilities in Edenbridge. The members appointed were Cllrs J. Aldridge, A. Baker, S. Compton, A Layland and M. Stockdale.
The response date is 30 April 2025.
Members noted the response date of 31 March and will complete the consultation by that date.
Members noted the Targeted Call for Sites (April 2025) and will await more information as it is published.
None.