Visitors and members of the public who are unfamiliar with the building and procedures are advised that:

(a)      The fire alarm is a continuous loud ringing. In the event that a fire drill is planned during the meeting, the Chair will advise of this.

(b)      Exit routes from the chamber are located on each side of the room, one directly to a fire escape, the other to the stairs opposite the lifts.

(c)      In the event of the alarm sounding, leave the building via the nearest safe exit and gather at the assembly point on the far side of the car park. Do not leave the assembly point or re-enter the building until advised to do so. Do not use the lifts.

(d)      Anyone unable to use the stairs should make themselves known during this agenda item.

The Chair outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held on 29 April 2026 (Minute Nos. 893 – 896), and the Minutes of 27 May 2026 (Minute Nos. 48 – 54) as correct records.

The Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held on 29 April 2026 (Minute Nos. 893 – 896), and the Minutes of 27 May 2026 (Minute Nos. 48 – 54) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their families or friends.

The Chair will ask Members if they have any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) or disclosable non-pecuniary interests (DNPIs) to declare in respect of items on the agenda. Members with a DPI in an item must leave the room for that item and may not participate in the debate or vote. 

Aside from disclosable interests, where a fair-minded and informed observer would think there was a real possibility that a Member might be biased or predetermined on an item, the Member should declare this and leave the room while that item is considered.

Members who are in any doubt about interests, bias or predetermination should contact the monitoring officer for advice prior to the meeting.

No interests were declared.

This item will be by way of verbal update.

The Project Manager (Policy) introduced the item and reminded Members that, at the previous meeting, it had been agreed that consultants would present an update on the transport and air quality evidence base supporting the emerging Local Plan.

The Project Manager (Policy) advised that additional work had been incorporated into the programme following requests from National Highways and a review of employment land assumptions used in the transport modelling. Members were advised that the work being undertaken would provide a robust and proportionate evidence base to support the Regulation 19 Local Plan.

Representatives from Jacobs delivered a presentation on the transport and air quality evidence base.

The presentation explained:

• the purpose of the transport and air quality work;
• how the various technical workstreams were integrated;
• the relationship between strategic modelling, junction modelling, mitigation design, air quality assessment and the Mode Share Strategy;
• the programme of work leading up to Regulation 19 consultation and plan submission;
• how strategic modelling would identify network-wide impacts and transport hotspots;
• how identified hotspots would be taken forward for detailed junction modelling and mitigation assessment;
• how air quality impacts would be assessed using transport modelling outputs; and
• how evidence from all workstreams would be brought together to support the Local Plan.

Members were advised that not all evidence would be completed prior to Regulation 19 consultation. However, draft findings would be available to inform consultation and further assessment would continue in parallel ahead of Local Plan submission.

During discussion, Members raised the following points:

• concerns regarding the impact of development on rural roads, villages and rat-running;
• the need to assess road links as well as junction capacity;
• the potential implications of the Highsted Park planning application and whether sensitivity testing would be undertaken;
• existing congestion issues on the Isle of Sheppey and other parts of the borough;
• the importance of local knowledge when identifying pressure points in the network;
• how strategic modelling and junction modelling would interact;
• whether modelling was based solely on computer simulations or also incorporated observed traffic data;
• the collection and validation of traffic survey information;
• the need to ensure transport evidence remained realistic and reflected actual travel conditions; and
• potential consequences where viable transport mitigation could not be identified.

In response, the Jacobs representatives advised that:

• both junctions and road links would be assessed;
• a range of criteria including delays, capacity ratios and flow changes would be used to identify pressure points;
• a Highsted Park sensitivity test was included as an optional element within the work programme;
• strategic modelling would identify network impacts before more detailed junction modelling was undertaken;
• traffic models were built using validated observed data, including traffic counts, journey time surveys and turning movement counts;
• additional surveys had been commissioned where data gaps existed;
• local knowledge would be sought through a planned member workshop later this Summer and stakeholder engagement sessions; and
• should mitigation not be achievable at a location, discussions would take place with the relevant highway authorities and alternative options would be explored.

Members also discussed the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 153.

The Principal Planning Officer (Policy)  introduced the report and explained that the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) formed part of the evidence base supporting the emerging Local Plan.

Members were advised that:

• a Level 1 SFRA had been completed;
• a Level 2 assessment was underway for sites with identified flood risk constraints;
• draft findings would be available ahead of Regulation 19 consultation;
• the completed assessment would be available prior to submission; and
• at this stage it was anticipated that proposed allocations could be accommodated with appropriate mitigation.

During discussion, Members:

• highlighted the importance of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS);
• raised concerns regarding the design and capacity of drainage infrastructure;
• questioned how cumulative impacts would be assessed;
• discussed groundwater protection, water supply and water quality issues;
• referenced flood risks on the Isle of Sheppey;
• discussed coastal defence infrastructure and long-term flood resilience; and
• raised concerns regarding evacuation and access arrangements in the event of significant flooding.

In response, officers advised that:

• major planning applications would continue to be assessed (with regards to sustainable urban drainage) by Kent County Council in its role as Lead Local Flood Authority;
• flood risk policies had been strengthened since the previous Regulation 18 consultation;
• cumulative effects formed part of flood risk assessment work;
• climate change projections and coastal change considerations had been incorporated into the evidence base;
• the Medway Estuary and Swale contribution zone would assist in supporting long-term flood resilience measures; and
• emergency planning arrangements existed to respond to major flood events.

The Working Group noted the report.

The Planning Officer introduced the report and outlined amendments made following the previous Planning and Transportation Policy Working Group meeting and consultation with town and parish councils. Members were advised that corrections had been made to site mapping and ward references, including amendments to the Maylam Gardens site mapping, and that officers maintained their original assessments for a number of sites where they considered the assessments remained consistent with National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) criteria.

During discussion, Members considered a number of sites which they felt warranted additional protection through Local Green Space designation.

Land between the A2 and Grove Park Avenue, Borden

Councillor Baldock raised concerns regarding the assessment of the land between the A2 and Grove Park Avenue, noting that it had previously been incorrectly attributed to Bobbing rather than Borden. He argued that the site was heavily used by local residents for recreation, dog walking, children's play and wellbeing purposes and had previously been the subject of a village green application. Whilst acknowledging that the village green application had ultimately been unsuccessful due to the land's highway status, he considered that the site met the purpose and intent of Local Green Space designation.

Following discussion, Councillor Baldock proposed that the site be included within the Local Green Space evidence base. The proposal was agreed unanimously.

Bapchild Village Green and Stones Farm Country Park

Councillor Bonney queried the assessment of land identified as "Land at Bapchild" and sought clarification regarding whether the assessment related to the established village green area or land associated with Stones Farm Country Park.

Councillor Bonney advised that:

• Bapchild Village Green was of significant community value and regularly used for local events and recreation;
• the site was well established within the village and formed an important part of community identity;
• Stones Farm Country Park had been transferred into Council ownership and contained important natural features including a chalk stream and wet woodland habitat;
• the Country Park was widely used by local residents and supported a Friends Group with significant community involvement; and
• both sites met the criteria for Local Green Space designation.

Councillor Bonney proposed that both sites be included within the Local Green Space evidence base. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Whiting and agreed unanimously.

Beachfields (LGS80)

Councillor Whiting raised concerns regarding the assessment of Beachfields and noted that previous discussions had suggested the site should be considered in separate parts. He argued that the inclusion of the leisure centre within the assessment affected the overall outcome and that the open space to the west of Beach Street should instead be assessed separately.

Councillor Bonney supported this view and considered that the leisure centre and surrounding operational land should be excluded from the assessment area.

Members agreed that officers should undertake a revised assessment of the site, separating the area of open space from the leisure centre land and reporting back through the Local Plan process.

The proposal was agreed unanimously.

Vincent Gardens (LGS79)

Councillor Whiting questioned why Vincent Gardens had not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 155.

The Planning Manager (Policy) introduced the report and outlined the proposed Regulation 19 Local Plan, Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulations Assessment and Infrastructure Delivery Plan. Members were advised that the Regulation 19 consultation was proposed to run from 10 August 2026 until 21 September 2026 and that representations at this stage must focus on matters of soundness and legal compliance. Officers explained that the draft documents reflected previous Working Group discussions, decisions of Policy and Resources Committee and Full Council, together with feedback received through earlier public consultation exercises.

The Planning Manager (Policy) summarised the recommendations before the Working Group, including proposed allocation updates, officer delegations required to accommodate outstanding technical evidence and the proposed consultation arrangements.

Amendments to Site Allocations and Housing Capacity

Members discussed a number of amendments proposed to allocation capacities and housing supply assumptions.

Concern was expressed regarding:

• the removal of allocations following the granting of planning permission;
• reductions to estimated dwelling capacities on allocated sites;
• the impact of overhead power line constraints on development capacity;
• reductions in anticipated delivery at Queenborough and Rushenden; and
• the cumulative effect of these changes on housing supply.

Officers advised that:

• sites with planning permission had been removed from allocations to avoid double counting within the housing supply;
• revised capacities reflected detailed site assessment work undertaken by officers;
• the reduced dwelling capacity on land west of Minster represented a realistic and deliverable solution given infrastructure constraints; and
• the proposed figure of 898 dwellings for the Queenborough and Rushenden regeneration area that included Homes England promoted sites reflected a consistent density-based assessment methodology for development that was used in the council’s Housing Economic Land Availability Assessment  and was considered defendable at examination.

Members requested that supporting text be updated to more clearly explain the reduction in dwelling numbers at Queenborough and Rushenden and the relationship between previous masterplanning assumptions and the proposed allocation.

Transport and Air Quality Modelling

Members discussed Recommendation 3, which related to outstanding transport and air quality evidence.

Concerns were expressed that:

• significant elements of transport modelling remained incomplete;
• the Working Group had not yet received the final modelling outputs;
• further work remained outstanding in relation to mitigation and transport testing; and
• Members wished to avoid creating an impression that all concerns regarding transport evidence had been resolved.

Officers advised that:

• meaningful draft evidence would be available to support the Regulation 19 consultation;
• further evidence would continue to be developed following consultation and prior to submission;
• Members would continue to receive updates as the work progressed; and
• further opportunities remained to amend the Local Plan before examination.

Following debate, Members agreed that the wording of Recommendation 3 should be amended.

Water Infrastructure and Utilities

Councillor Speed welcomed amendments made to Policy C10 (Water Quality and Resources), noting that the revised wording now:

• explicitly addressed water supply as well as wastewater treatment;
• required adequate capacity or mitigation to be demonstrated before development could proceed; and
• reflected an infrastructure-first approach.
  
  

Officers advised that the revised wording had been prepared in response  ...  view the full minutes text for item 156.

The meeting was adjourned from 8:05 pm until 8:10 pm and from 9.44 pm until 9.55 pm.

At 9:55pm, 10:27pm and 10:57pm Members agreed to the suspension of Standing Orders in order that the Working Group could complete its business.