The Chairman welcomed members of the public and advised all present that the Committee would first hear from Officers and have a presentation from the consultants.  She would then invite the speakers to come forward, and after debate would take the recommendations individually.

Michael Botley and Mike Thompson from Lake gave a presentation outlining the work they had carried out on the Council’s behalf, and answered questions concerning methodology and sample size.  It was noted that the questionnaire had only been sent to BR postcodes and not to DA postcodes within Hextable.  However consultation events or ‘drop in’ sessions had been held in these areas where surveys had been available.  The consultation had run with a longer period than customary and the cut off time had been strictly adhered to as a result.

The Strategic Planning Manager presented the report.  The report provided an update on the Master Vision consultation agreed by the Planning Advisory Committee in July 2016 and Cabinet in August 2016. It set out how consultation was undertaken and provided a summary of the analysis of responses undertaken by the Council’s consultants, both in terms of quantitative data taken from direct responses to the questions posed in the survey and more qualitative information taken from the range of comments and representations returned from the public and stakeholders, as had just been referred to in their presentation.  He further advised that a petition which had not been accepted as a valid petition to Council had been taken forward as a ‘consultation response’ and thereby was brought to the Committee’s attention.

Based on the consultation responses received, the report provided a recommendation for the next stages of progressing the Master Vision work, and discussed how the regeneration work for Swanley and Hextable could be taken forward and refined as an element within the Local Plan preparation.  The report also outlined some of the detailed work needed to be commissioned if supported aspects of the Vision were to progress successfully.

The Chairman had agreed to exercise her discretion and allow some members of the public and non members of the Committee to address the meeting. 

The Committee was addressed by the following speakers:

Robert Alexander, Swanley resident

Robert Brickell, Swanley resident

Chris Prestedge, Swanley resident

Swanley Town Councillor Victor Southern

Bob Wallis, Chairman of Swanley Village Residents Association

Councillor Dyball, Swanley St. Marys

Councillor Hogg, Swanley St. Marys

Councillor Scott, Swanley White Oak

Much concern was expressed by the speakers over the the proposal to build 3000 homes in the Green Belt near to a conservation area and on Grade 2 agricultural land, along with air pollution and infrastructure concerns; with the wording of the questionnaire, which was considered by some to be misleading; and the reference of building on the recreation ground which had been gifted to the town in trust.  It was suggested that the Master Vision was not required as the town was regenerating itself and would continue to do so with the inclusion into Zone 8  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39