Ditton Parish Council - October 2005 Planning Committee Minutes

Ditton Parish Council

PLANNING, HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PLANNING, HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION
COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE ON
MONDAY 17TH OCTOBER 2005

Committee Members Present :-Councillor RGW Baker
Councillor J Beadle
Councillor Mrs A Beadle
Councillor J D Day
Councillor Mrs J E DeSave (Vice-Chair)
Councillor J E DeSave
Councillor P A Thorpe
Councillor Mrs A Throssell

Also in Attendance :-Mrs Nicola Greenaway (Administrative Assistant)

318. OPENING OF MEETING

In the absence of the Chairman, the meeting was opened by the Vice-Chair at 7.30pm.

The Vice-Chair moved to adjourn the meeting to allow the visitors from Asprey Homes to make their
presentation for the proposed development at New Road Business Estate.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

ADJOURNEMENT
------------------------------

MR BRUCE WALKER AND MR PHILLIP LANGFORD FROM ASPREY HOMES, who are proposing to
develop the site at New Road Business Estate, outlined the revisions made following comments
received from local residents and the Parish Council:-

* DRAINAGE - Thames Water are satisfied with the proposed drainage provisions.

* PUBLIC FOOTPATH - the site layout has been adjusted to make a link to keep the path nearer to the
existing route.

* ACCESS TO THE SITE - it was proposed to have an "in" and "out" on either side of the "triangle".
Asprey Homes would be happy to make up the road for the "in" access as it is currently in a poor state
of repair. They have consulted the residents that front on to this piece of road and they would be
happy for this to be done.

* OASTS - the existing oast building is in very poor condition but they are hoping to
reclaim some of the material and build houses in a similar style to the existing oasts and in the same
position on the site. Other improvements to some of the designs were also discussed and pictures
of examples of developments and materials similar to that proposed were circulated.

Members were pleased with the suggested improvments to the site but were still very concerned
about the access to the site. The main concern is that the access is on a sharp bend and some
vehicles travel too fast on this stretch of road. It was suggested that some form of traffic calming
should be introduced to slow traffic down on the bend. Mr Walker suggested that it may be possible
for Asprey to assist with this and a "raised table" such as those planned for the site, might be a
solution. Asprey would be happy to work with the local authority to resolve this problem.

Mr Walker and Mr Langford were thanked for their presentation and they then left the meeting.

The Vice-Chair moved that the session remain open for the members of the public present to speak,
as the time was now 8.30pm.

MR LEN MACE of Woodlands Road, Ditton attended in connection with the recent vandalism at the
allotments. He had previously submitPage No 273or a pathway around the whole allotment site as a
possible solution to deterring vandals. He also suggested posts are needed to support the rubbish
bags so that they can be filled to their maximum capacity and that four of the most recently let plots are
not being satisfactorily maintained.

Mr Mace was thanked for bringing these matters to the Council's attention and advised they would be
considered by the Open Spaces and Amenities Committee at their meeting later that evening.

MR GARY SOUTHERN of New Road, Ditton attended the meeting as he wished to bring to the
Council's attention the problem of youths regularly causing disturbances in the New Road area near
the shop. He said he had reported various incidents to the Police but they never attended.

Members sympathised with Mr Southern but advised there is little the Parish Council can do other
than continue to pass on any reported problems to the local police and community warden (when a
new one is appointed). Mr Southern was advised to call the Police himself and advise his neighbours
to do so also as the more often problems are reported from a particular area, the more likely it is to
get a response from the police.

Mr Southern was thanked for attending and assured that his concerns would be passed on to the
local PC.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

319. APOLOGIES

Apologies, previously notified, were RECEIVED and ACCEPTED from Cllrs Mulcuck, Mrs Mulcuck,
Porter, Mrs Thorpe and Mrs Thwaites.

320. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

There were no declarations of interest.

321. PLANS RECEIVED FOR COMMENT

TM/05/00959/FLCobdown House The Patman Trust
FULL 548 London Road
Ditton

Proposal - Erection of a two storey extension to Cobdown House and construction of two
additional buildings all for use Classes B1(a) offices, B1(b) research and
development, B1(c) light industry, together with associated parking.

AMENDED PLANS GIVING DETAILS OF TRAVEL PLAN, TRAFFIC CALMING,
REDUCTION IN PARKING PROVISION AND LANDSCAPING ARRANGEMENTS.

Observations - RESOLVED THIS COUNCIL FEELS UNABLE TO COMMENT ON THESE PLANS AS
THE AMENDMENTS ARE NOT VERY CLEAR.

TM/05/01013/FLNew Road Business EstAsprey Homes
FULL New Road
Ditton

Proposal - Demolition of existing industrial buildings and erection of new residential
development comprising 6 one bedroom flats, 21 two bedroom houses, 62 three
bedroom houses, and 7 four bedroom houses; total 96 units ; 186 garage/car
port/surface parking spaces, new estate roads.open space and associated
landscaping.

COPY OF ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS - STAGE 1 ROAD SAFETY AUDIT

Observations - RESOLVED THIS COUNCIL CONTINUES TO HAVE SERIOUS RESERVATIONS
ABOUT THE ACCESS TO THIS SITE BECAUSE IT IS ON A SHARP BEND WHERE
CARS TEND TO TRAVEL TOO FAST. HOWEVER IF THE DEVELOPER CAN WORK
WITH THE HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE AN ACCEPTABLE FORM OF
TRAFFIC CALMING ON THIS PART OF NEW ROAD/KILNBARN ROAD THEN THIS
COUNCIL WOULD HAVE NO OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION.

TM/05/01013/FLNew Road Business EstaAsprey Homes Ltd
New Road
FULL Ditton

Proposal - Demolition of existing industrial buildings and erection of new residential
development comprising 6 one bedroom flats, 21 two bedroom houses, 62 three
bedroom houses, and 7 four bedroom houses; total 96 units; 186 garage/car
port/surface parking spaces, new estate roads, open space and associated
landscaping.

REVISED HIGHWAYS LAYOUT.

Observations - RESOLVED THIS COUNCIL HAS NO OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION.

322. PLANS DEALT WITH BY T & M AREA SUB-COMMITTEE 3

The following plans dealt with by Area 3 were NOTED:-

TM/05/02510/TNCA Cut down 14 Lleylandii and 1 Sycamore tree at rear
12a Ditton Court Close NO OBJECTION SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS

TM/05/01040/FLA1 Seventeen B1(c); and B2 and B8 buildings with
Site 2 & Former DPC Allots. associated yards, parking areas, hard and soft
landscaping
GRANTED SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS

323. 'B' LISTS

The following 'B' Lists were CIRCULATED, READ and NOTED:-

05/38 - 26.09.2005; 05/39 - 03.10.2005;

324. AGENDA, MINUTES & NOTES FROM AREA 3 COMMITTEE

These were READ and it was NOTED that they contained comments regarding the application at New
Road Business Estate.

325. AGENDA & NOTES OF THE JOINT TRANSPORTATION BOARD

It was NOTED that there were no Agenda or Notes available.

326. KCC - KENT & MEDWAY STRUCTURE PLAN

The Chairman of the Planning Committee to be asked if he has any comment to make on this
document.

327. CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING

The Maidstone Local Development Framework Statement was NOTED.

328. KENT HIGHWAY SERVICES

The invitation to the Parish and Town Council Seminar was READ and it was NOTED that a copy had
been passed to the Chairman to see if he is able to attend.

329. CLOSURE

The meeting was closed at 8.59pm.

	Ditton Parish Council Planning Highways & Transportation Committee October 2005 Minutes
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
Ditton Parish Council PLANNING, HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PLANNING, HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE ON MONDAY 17TH OCTOBER 2005 Committee Members Present :-Councillor RGW Baker Councillor J Beadle Councillor Mrs A Beadle Councillor J D Day Councillor Mrs J E DeSave (Vice-Chair) Councillor J E DeSave Councillor P A Thorpe Councillor Mrs A Throssell Also in Attendance :-Mrs Nicola Greenaway (Administrative Assistant) 318. OPENING OF MEETING In the absence of the Chairman, the meeting was opened by the Vice-Chair at 7.30pm. The Vice-Chair moved to adjourn the meeting to allow the visitors from Asprey Homes to make their presentation for the proposed development at New Road Business Estate. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ADJOURNEMENT ------------------------------ MR BRUCE WALKER AND MR PHILLIP LANGFORD FROM ASPREY HOMES, who are proposing to develop the site at New Road Business Estate, outlined the revisions made following comments received from local residents and the Parish Council:- * DRAINAGE - Thames Water are satisfied with the proposed drainage provisions. * PUBLIC FOOTPATH - the site layout has been adjusted to make a link to keep the path nearer to the existing route. * ACCESS TO THE SITE - it was proposed to have an "in" and "out" on either side of the "triangle". Asprey Homes would be happy to make up the road for the "in" access as it is currently in a poor state of repair. They have consulted the residents that front on to this piece of road and they would be happy for this to be done. * OASTS - the existing oast building is in very poor condition but they are hoping to reclaim some of the material and build houses in a similar style to the existing oasts and in the same position on the site. Other improvements to some of the designs were also discussed and pictures of examples of developments and materials similar to that proposed were circulated. Members were pleased with the suggested improvments to the site but were still very concerned about the access to the site. The main concern is that the access is on a sharp bend and some vehicles travel too fast on this stretch of road. It was suggested that some form of traffic calming should be introduced to slow traffic down on the bend. Mr Walker suggested that it may be possible for Asprey to assist with this and a "raised table" such as those planned for the site, might be a solution. Asprey would be happy to work with the local authority to resolve this problem. Mr Walker and Mr Langford were thanked for their presentation and they then left the meeting. The Vice-Chair moved that the session remain open for the members of the public present to speak, as the time was now 8.30pm. MR LEN MACE of Woodlands Road, Ditton attended in connection with the recent vandalism at the allotments. He had previously submitPage No 273or a pathway around the whole allotment site as a possible solution to deterring vandals. He also suggested posts are needed to support the rubbish bags so that they can be filled to their maximum capacity and that four of the most recently let plots are not being satisfactorily maintained. Mr Mace was thanked for bringing these matters to the Council's attention and advised they would be considered by the Open Spaces and Amenities Committee at their meeting later that evening. MR GARY SOUTHERN of New Road, Ditton attended the meeting as he wished to bring to the Council's attention the problem of youths regularly causing disturbances in the New Road area near the shop. He said he had reported various incidents to the Police but they never attended. Members sympathised with Mr Southern but advised there is little the Parish Council can do other than continue to pass on any reported problems to the local police and community warden (when a new one is appointed). Mr Southern was advised to call the Police himself and advise his neighbours to do so also as the more often problems are reported from a particular area, the more likely it is to get a response from the police. Mr Southern was thanked for attending and assured that his concerns would be passed on to the local PC. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 319. APOLOGIES Apologies, previously notified, were RECEIVED and ACCEPTED from Cllrs Mulcuck, Mrs Mulcuck, Porter, Mrs Thorpe and Mrs Thwaites. 320. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS There were no declarations of interest. 321. PLANS RECEIVED FOR COMMENT TM/05/00959/FLCobdown House The Patman Trust FULL 548 London Road Ditton Proposal - Erection of a two storey extension to Cobdown House and construction of two additional buildings all for use Classes B1(a) offices, B1(b) research and development, B1(c) light industry, together with associated parking. AMENDED PLANS GIVING DETAILS OF TRAVEL PLAN, TRAFFIC CALMING, REDUCTION IN PARKING PROVISION AND LANDSCAPING ARRANGEMENTS. Observations - RESOLVED THIS COUNCIL FEELS UNABLE TO COMMENT ON THESE PLANS AS THE AMENDMENTS ARE NOT VERY CLEAR. TM/05/01013/FLNew Road Business EstAsprey Homes FULL New Road Ditton Proposal - Demolition of existing industrial buildings and erection of new residential development comprising 6 one bedroom flats, 21 two bedroom houses, 62 three bedroom houses, and 7 four bedroom houses; total 96 units ; 186 garage/car port/surface parking spaces, new estate roads.open space and associated landscaping. COPY OF ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS - STAGE 1 ROAD SAFETY AUDIT Observations - RESOLVED THIS COUNCIL CONTINUES TO HAVE SERIOUS RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE ACCESS TO THIS SITE BECAUSE IT IS ON A SHARP BEND WHERE CARS TEND TO TRAVEL TOO FAST. HOWEVER IF THE DEVELOPER CAN WORK WITH THE HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE AN ACCEPTABLE FORM OF TRAFFIC CALMING ON THIS PART OF NEW ROAD/KILNBARN ROAD THEN THIS COUNCIL WOULD HAVE NO OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION. TM/05/01013/FLNew Road Business EstaAsprey Homes Ltd New Road FULL Ditton Proposal - Demolition of existing industrial buildings and erection of new residential development comprising 6 one bedroom flats, 21 two bedroom houses, 62 three bedroom houses, and 7 four bedroom houses; total 96 units; 186 garage/car port/surface parking spaces, new estate roads, open space and associated landscaping. REVISED HIGHWAYS LAYOUT. Observations - RESOLVED THIS COUNCIL HAS NO OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION. 322. PLANS DEALT WITH BY T & M AREA SUB-COMMITTEE 3 The following plans dealt with by Area 3 were NOTED:- TM/05/02510/TNCA Cut down 14 Lleylandii and 1 Sycamore tree at rear 12a Ditton Court Close NO OBJECTION SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS TM/05/01040/FLA1 Seventeen B1(c); and B2 and B8 buildings with Site 2 & Former DPC Allots. associated yards, parking areas, hard and soft landscaping GRANTED SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS 323. 'B' LISTS The following 'B' Lists were CIRCULATED, READ and NOTED:- 05/38 - 26.09.2005; 05/39 - 03.10.2005; 324. AGENDA, MINUTES & NOTES FROM AREA 3 COMMITTEE These were READ and it was NOTED that they contained comments regarding the application at New Road Business Estate. 325. AGENDA & NOTES OF THE JOINT TRANSPORTATION BOARD It was NOTED that there were no Agenda or Notes available. 326. KCC - KENT & MEDWAY STRUCTURE PLAN The Chairman of the Planning Committee to be asked if he has any comment to make on this document. 327. CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING The Maidstone Local Development Framework Statement was NOTED. 328. KENT HIGHWAY SERVICES The invitation to the Parish and Town Council Seminar was READ and it was NOTED that a copy had been passed to the Chairman to see if he is able to attend. 329. CLOSURE The meeting was closed at 8.59pm.

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬