The Planning Manager (Planning Applications) introduced the application as set out in the report.  He said that Kent Police had responded to say they had no additional comments to make on the application.

Parish Councillor Clive Sims, representing Borden Parish Council, spoke against the application.

Alice Day, the Agent, spoke in support of the application.

The Chairman moved the officer recommendation to grant planning permission as per the recommendation in the report, and this was seconded by Councillor Hayden Brawn.

The Chair invited Members to make comments, and these included:

·         Why had there been so many amended documents for this application?;

·         had the relevant ground gas risk assessment been carried out?;

·         had Kent County Council (KCC) Ecology responded to the amended plans?;

·         it was not clear from the report which items had been discharged;

·         sought further clarity on the details of the drainage strategy;

·         concerned that the rugby pitches might become formalised with no access for local residents;

·         sought clarification as to whether the Neighbourhood Equipped Area Play (NEAP) would be a multi-games area as it was unclear from the report;

·         were the proposed kickabout areas required in conjunction through the Council’s Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS)?;

·         the wording for the multi used games area needed to be clearer;

·         concerned to hear that the developer had not negotiated with the Parish Council; and

·         the application should be deferred to seek confirmation regarding the gas assessment.

A Member raised a Point of Order and drew attention to paragraph 3.1.39.10 of Part 3.1 of the Council’s Constitution which stated that members of the Planning Committee submitted questions of clarification of the facts or matters of law in advance of the Planning Committee. 

In response, the Planning Manager explained that several corrections were required to the plans including: the public right of way; and the NEAP.  He referred to conditions (53) and (57) of application 17/505711/HYBRID which addressed the ground gas risk assessment.  The amended plans received in October 2025 were minor and it was considered that the changes would not require input from KCC Ecology.  The Planning Manager confirmed the rugby training pitch was ‘open’ for local residents to use.  He clarified what the NEAP would provide as set out in paragraph 7.7.3 of the report.

The Planning Manager confirmed that an application relating to contamination controls for the application had been approved.  He also advised that the Secretary of State decision APP/V2255/W/19/3233606 set out the times by when matters such as water discharge and contamination needed to be addressed and that the application accorded with the outline permission in that respect. 

Resolved:  That application 25/501147/REM be granted as per the recommendation in the report.