Issue - meetings

DEFERRED WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO BE CONSIDERED UNDER SECTION 2 OF THE AGENDA OF A FUTURE PLANS SUB-COMMITTEE

Description of application – Variation of Condition 13 pursuant to permission ref. 17/05868 to permit the linking of Units 3a and 3b.

Oral representations in support of the application were received.  Oral representations from Councillor Colin Hitchins in support of the application were received at the meeting.

It was reported that the application had been amended by documents received on 14 November 2018 which had been circulated to Members and that no objections to the application had been received.

Emails from Councillor Angela Page, a previous Member for Cray Valley East Ward, and Councillor Colin Hitchens dated 13 November 2018, had been received in support of the application and circulated to Members.

An email from Ward Member, Councillor Chris Pierce, dated 13 November 2018, had been received which stated that he and his fellow Ward Members, Councillors Yvonne Bear and Harry Stranger, all supported of the application.

Councillor Hitchens spoke on behalf of the Members for Cray Valley East and Cray Valley West Wards and supported the application.  He reported that over a twelve day period 1,200 customers had signed a petition in support of the application.  The creation of an internal link between the units would enhance customers’ shopping experiences although involve a reduction in floor space.

Councillor Charles Joel referred to the history of the site and supported the proposed development that would allow customers to make purchases from both units without having to exit the store and was in favour of deferment.

Councillor Simon Fawthrop also supported the application.

The Chairman suggested that if permission were granted in the future a personal condition should be imposed to ensure the store be reverted to two units on the vacation of the applicant.

Members having considered the report, objections and representations, RESOLVED that THE APPLICATION BE DEFERRED, without prejudice to any future consideration, TO ASSESS THE UNILATERAL UNDERTAKING AND PLANNING CONDITION PUT FORWARD BY THE APPLICANT and to be considered under Section 2 of the agenda of a future Plans Sub-Committee.