To approve the minutes of the meetings of the Committee held at 7pm and 8:55pm on 29 September 2022, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meetings held at 7pm and 8:55pm on 29 September 2022, be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Including any interests not already registered

Cllr Osborne-Jackson declared for Minute 41.1 – 22/01961/FUL – Land East Of Westfield Cottages, Fawkham Road, West Kingsdown, Kent TN15 6AY, that he had spoken with the applicant but remained open minded.

All Members, with the exception of Cllrs Barnett and Streatfeild, declared that they had been lobbied in respect of Minute 41.1 – 22/01961/FUL – Land East Of Westfield Cottages, Fawkham Road, West Kingsdown, Kent TN15 6AY.

The construction of a training academy facility, a groundskeeper building and a security building, an indoor pitch and outdoor football pitches including an artificial football pitch and associated training areas, car and cycle parking and hard and soft landscaping. New access to Fawkham Road.

The proposal sought the construction of a training academy facility, a groundskeeper building and a security building, an indoor pitch and outdoor football pitches including an artificial football pitch and associated training areas, car and cycle parking, hard and soft landscaping, and a new access to Fawkham Road. The application had been referred to the Committee at the discretion of the Chief Planning Officer, as the Development was of a significant nature being major development in the Green Belt.

Members’ attention was brought to the main agenda papers and the late observation sheets, which proposed an additional condition and an additional recommendation.

The Committee were addressed by the following speakers:

A question of clarification was asked by the speaker Against the Application.

Members asked questions of clarification to the speakers and the officers.

It was explained to the Committee that there had been engagement with some local schools before the application was submitted, and that the Millwall Community Trust would appoint a local liaison officer should planning permission be granted, to build on that engagement. Members also sought clarification about the employment opportunities the development would bring to the local area. The usage of the pitches, and the likely hours of operation for the complex, were also clarified.

Members heard that the impact of the development on traffic would be low, and that the scale of the car park would prevent any parking from spilling into the road. They further heard that the floodlights on the pitches and car park were angled downwards and would not impact drivers on the M20 or nearby residences. They were advised that the National Planning Policy Framework allowed for development on the Green Belt if the benefits clearly outweighed the harm.

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded that the recommendations within the report and late observations, be agreed.

Members discussed the traffic implications of the site, and concerns regarding the power requirements of the development. They further discussed the possible community and economic benefits of the development, as presented within the draft S106 agreement.

The motion was put to the vote and it was:

Resolved: That

A)   planning permission be GRANTED subject to:

a)    The application being referred to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, as major development in the Green Belt, to decide whether to call the application in, and

b)   the application being referred to the Secretary of State for Transport, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Development Affecting Trunk Roads) Direction 2018, and

c)    The conditions set out below, subject to any minor changes to wording being agreed by the Chief Officer for Planning and Regulatory Services, and

d)   A satisfactory legal agreement made under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) being completed no later than 31  ...  view the full minutes text for item 411.