Agenda and minutes

It was noted that there were no apologies for absence. 

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in respect of business to be transacted on the agenda.

It was noted that there were no declarations of interest.

To consider the recommendations of the Scrutiny (Policy and Performance) Committee made at its meeting held on 13 March 2017 (to follow).

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive.

Responsibility: Leader of the Council

It was agreed that the recommendations of the Scrutiny (Policy and Performance) Committee, made at its meeting held on 13 March 2017 (Minute No 169), be approved as follows:

(a)  That the dates of the consultation events be circulated to all Members of the Council.

(b)  That the Scrutiny (Policy and Performance) Committee be provided with the full details of the consultation results.

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Environment, Waste and Planning

It was agreed that, in respect of the Proposed Revisions to the draft Thanet District Council Local Plan (Preferred Options), the following representations be sent to Thanet District Council:

(a)  Evidence from Dover District Council’s (DDC) Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) has concluded that Dover District is best placed in a Shepway and Dover Housing Market Area (HMA) rather than a Thanet, Canterbury and Dover HMA which has been identified in Thanet District Council’s (TDC) SHMA.  DDC therefore objects to Dover District’s identification in a Thanet HMA.

(b)  In future DDC would encourage TDC to make a more positive effort in collaborating with DDC at an early stage under the Duty to Co-operate (DTC) on the future of Manston Airport and other cross-boundary strategic issues and that TDC instigates these DTC meetings from here on where there is a cross-boundary issue that arises from within TDC. 

(c)  Until the Development Consent Order process has been concluded (presently at pre-application stage), DDC’s resolution towards the retention of Manston as an operational airport is maintained and an objection is made to Policy SP05 for the redevelopment of the former Manston airport site for mixed use development.   

(d)  DDC objects to Policy SP05 as no justification, as part of the Local Plan-making process, has been given for the need for 85,000sqm of employment and leisure floor space, and its potential impact on Dover District has not therefore been properly assessed.

(e)  Policy SP05 should be amended to clearly specify the amount of retail/leisure floor space for the District centre, and that TDC undertakes an impact assessment in order that the effect on town centres in Dover District can be evaluated.

(f)   DDC objects to Policy SP05 on the grounds that no Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment has accompanied the Local Plan which clearly demonstrates how the redevelopment of the Manston airport site will protect key vantage points from within Dover District.

(g)  DDC supports the revised location of the Thanet Parkway Station (Policy SP39) and welcomes the provision of journey time reductions from Ashford through to Thanet.   In a spirit of reciprocity, DDC would encourage TDC to recognise DDC’s aspirations to improve journey times to Dover district.

(h)  DDC has ongoing concerns associated with the performance and serviceability at Brenley Corner, noting that, whilst the junction lies outside Thanet District, the additional traffic generated by the Thanet Local Plan proposals could impact on its operation in serving the A2 trunk road to Dover town and port.  DDC seeks assurance from TDC over the suitability of the junction to serve all of the growth that has been identified in the Thanet District Council Local Plan while sustaining the strategic demands at the junction, particularly in circumstances where the Lower Thames Crossing comes forward within the Plan period.