KALC Community Awards Scheme
Upchurch Parish Council is pleased to be participating in the Kent Association for Local Councils Community Awards Scheme again and would like residents to send in nominations for the award. The KALC Community Award is to acknowledge and give recognition to those who have made a significant contribution to this community over a period of years. If you know of someone who has given this sort of service and merits an Award then please do nominate them. The person must live or work within the Parish Council boundary.
Please send nominations and details of service to the Clerk. Deadline for comments is 31st January, full details can be found on the Parish Council’s website.
Finance
Cllr Ripley has attended the Swale Western Area Committee meeting and the Committee has awarded the Parish Council a grant of £4655 towards the Recreation Ground fence. SBCllr Palmer and SBCllr Horton supported the application.
Planning
i. Ref: 20/505046/FULL Address: High Hopes Poot Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne ME9 7HL
Proposal: Erection of 2no. holiday homes.
Councillors considered the application and felt there was potential small economic benefit to the village. Councillors had no objections to the proposal and that neighbours’ views should be taken into consideration.
ii. Ref: MC/20/2358 Address: Rainham Bootfairs South Bush Lane Rainham Gillingham Medway ME8 8PS
Proposal: Change of use from agricultural land to a mixed use of agriculture and leisure activities including 6 days of bootfairs and 331 days for outdoor/drive in cinema, open air theatres/circus, weddings, motoring shows/events over and above the number of days allowed as permitted development under Schedule 2, Part 4, Class B of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended).
The Council has objected to the proposals on the grounds of the to harm to residential amenity by virtue of noise and disturbance and/or light pollution; concerns about the effect on the air quality in the Newington High Street Air Quality Management Area; the increase in traffic; the absence of any detail, notably details of vehicle parking, disposition of uses within the site and provision of facilities within the site; and the significant harm to the character and appearance and tranquillity of the countryside.
iii. Ref: Ref: 20/505022/FULL Address: 114 Oak Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne ME9 7AY
Proposal: Erection of two storey front/side/rear extension.
Councillors considered the application and had no objection to the proposal and that concerns of neighbours should be taken into account.
Ref: 20/505179/FULL Address: 116 Oak Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7AY
Proposal: Demolition of existing bungalow and construction of 2no. detached houses with detached garages and associated parking.
Councillors considered the application and objected to the proposal as the driveway goes onto a dangerous stretch of Oak Lane. A majority of Councillors agreed that if the application is approved, the Parish Council accepts the traffic calming scheme.
Otterham Quay Lane
The Council is aware of issues caused by car transporters in Otterham Quay Lane. Swale Borough Council Planning Enforcement is looking into the matter. Kent Police are also aware of issues on the highway and are currently investigating this. The Police have asked that residents report all sightings of car transporters to PCSO John Cork on: 07772 226217. The Police have also asked for visual evidence and if photos can be taken without risk to residents that would be greatly appreciated. Photos can be sent to PCSO Cork by Email to: john.cork@kent.pnn.police.uk All information will be treated in confidence.
Street Lights
The street lighting levels have been agreed so they will reduce throughout the night. This will help reduce the electricity consumption.
Environment
A dog waste bin will be installed in Oak Lane near to the junction of Wallbridge lane.
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 14th January 2021 at 7:30pm
The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 19th January at 7:30pm.
The Local Authorities (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority Meetings) Regulations 2020 now gives Local Councils the power to meet remotely during this COVID-19 pandemic and Upchurch Parish Council is now holding meetings virtually. Please check the website for details of the meetings
All residents are welcome to view the meetings and there is a time for members of the public to comment, raise concerns or ask questions.
Please contact the Clerk, clerkupc@outlook.com to obtain login details for the meeting.
Tel: 01622 739324
Email: clerkupc@outlook.com
Website: www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk
