Report of the Parish Council November 2019
Cllr Tyrone Ripley (Chairman), Cllr John Arnold (Vice Chairman), Cllr Pam Denny, Cllr Alan Horton, Cllr Gerry Lewin, Cllr Peter Masson, Cllr Janet Marshall, Cllr Gary Rosewell and Cllr Neil Sheppard. Clerk Mrs Wendy Licence.
Planning
i. Ref: 19/504222/FULL Address: 46 Wallbridge Lane Upchurch Kent ME8 7XH
Proposal: Proposed rear conservatory and insertion of first floor front and rear dormer windows.
Councillors considered the application and agreed unanimously that they had no observations to make save that views of neighbours must be taken into consideration.
ii. Ref: 19/504665/LAWPRO Address: 16 Oak Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AT
Proposal: Cropped hip to gable plus flat roof dormer to rear and 2no. roof lights to front.
Councillors considered the application and agreed unanimously that they had no observations to make save that views of neighbours must be taken into consideration.
iii. Ref: 19/504657/FULL Address: Car Showroom London Road Upchurch ME9 7PD
Proposal: Change of use of auto showroom and workshop (Sui Generis) to a banqueting hall, including food processing and distribution (Class D2 and B2), including the creation of a mezzanine floor and alterations to fenestration. (Resubmission of 19/503293/FULL)
Councillors considered the application which was the revision of a previous application that had been withdrawn. Councillors were concerned that there is insufficient parking; the venue would be for “invitation only” events and all guests would arrive and leave within a short timeframe causing significant congestion on the A2; the banqueting hall seats five hundred guests so the impact would be worse than expected; the opening times are excessive and this would adversely impact on the neighbouring cottages; the reasons for late opening are not valid reasons given the negative impact on neighbours; there will be environmental noise pollution and light pollution; the events would cause high volume traffic flow on the A2; the illuminated signage would adversely impact on the countryside; Councillors could see a benefit in regenerating the site for the local economy and local employment but agreed unanimously to object to this application because of the reasons given.
iv. Ref:19/504916/ADJ Address: Land North Of Moor Street London Road Upchurch ME8 8QF
Proposal: Adjoining Authority Consultation: (MC/19/2530) Construction of a secondary school with formation of new access from Otterham Quay Lane together with associated car parking and drop-off area, pedestrian access, drainage, landscaping, sports pitches and areas for formal and informal outdoor play.
Councillors considered the proposal which is almost exclusively being built to satisfy the school demand in Medway. There is insufficient information at this point to ascertain whether the academy would be accessible to students from Upchurch; there are highways issues associated with the A2 and the Lower Rainham Road, especially when the M2 is closed; the school traffic will immediately follow the morning rush hour and precede the evening rush hour thus increasing the hours of congestion on the overloaded highway infrastructure in this area; the school is being put in the countryside reducing the gap between urban and rural settlements; the roundabout will be close to the A2 junction causing gridlock; there are only six dropping off point and this would cause traffic to back up the road; there would be significant disruption in Otterham Quay Lane; the infrastructure is inadequate.
Councillors recognised the demand for schooling but agreed unanimously to object to the proposal in its current form because of the highway implications.
v. Ref: 19/504897/FULL Address: 14 Homefield Drive Upchurch Kent ME8 8RS
Proposal: Single storey rear extension.
Councillors considered the application and agreed unanimously that they had no observations to make save that views of neighbours must be taken into consideration.
vi. Ref: 19/504961/AGRIC Address: Gore Farm Chaffes Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7BE
Proposal: Prior Notification for a creation of a concrete pad for the storage and distribution of apple bins.
Councillors considered the application and agreed unanimously that they had no objections to the proposal.
vii. Ref: 19/504936/FULL Address: 26 The Poles Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7EX
Proposal: Single storey rear extension with conversion of existing garage to habitable room and store with part pitched part flat roof.
Councillors considered the application and agreed unanimously that they had no observations to make save that views of neighbours must be taken into consideration.
viii.Ref: 19/502283/FULL Address: Land Adjacent To Crescent House Otterham Quay Lane
Proposal: Erection of a block of 7 no. dwellings with parking, refuse and cycle store.
Cllr Rosewell had sat through a Swale Planning Committee meeting only for this application to be deferred. The Committee questioned the size of the gardens and the amenities but they still approved the application.
Highways
The Councillors are liaising with KCC and Swale Borough Council to resolve some of the issues raised by the Highways Consultation. The 30mph roundel before the apex to Horsham Hill has a moderate effect reminding drivers to check their speed. The Parish Council is having another 30mph roundel by the bus stop opposite the church and SLOW signs on either side of Crosier Court. There will be an additional roundel in Oak Lane near the Chaffes Lane junction.
Environment
Councillors will meet with the Swale in Bloom Co-ordinator to discuss an “in bloom” project for Upchurch.
Christmas in Upchurch
The Santa Sleigh will visit Upchurch on 15th December at 4pm for two hours, details of the route will be published in due course.
The Council has secured a Swale Festive Grant of £399 for decorations in the village.
This is a precis of Council business, full minutes of all meetings can be found on the website when ratified.
Date of next meetings:
Full Council - Thursday 5th December 2019 at 7:30pm in Upchurch Scout Hut.
The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 18th December at 7:30pm in the Committee Room of the Village Hall.
Full Council - Thursday 2nd January 2020 at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.
The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 15th January at 7:30pm in the Committee Room of the Village Hall.
All residents are welcome to attend the meetings and there is a time for members of the public to comment, raise concerns or ask questions.
Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council
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