The Principal Planning Officer (Policy) introduced the report which presented the updated assessment of Local Green Spaces for noting and inclusion as part of the evidence supporting the emerging Local Plan.

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

·         Considered the report to be disappointing, with inaccuracies;

·         clarification sought on what was being designated;

·         some green spaces had been removed, without consultation with Ward Members;

·         suggested the sites be listed under their parishes to make it clearer;

·         referring to page 205 in the report and that Maylam Gardens, Borden had previously been included, but was no longer and clarification sought on what had changed;

·         Members needed to be given the opportunity to assess all the sites in the report before they were included as part of the Regulation (Reg) 19 Local Plan Consultation;

·         referring to page 291 of the report and Land between the A2 and Grove Park Avenue, Sittingbourne and considered the report did not reflect the local community need for the site;

·         considered the report was not fit as it stood for Reg 19;

·         Queenborough Lines and Barton’s Point were important public open spaces;

·         clarification sought on why previous green spaces from the Local Plan were not listed in the report;

·         Land at Bapchild needed some land management and considered it was an important site, and it was considered to be a village green;

·         disputed that Land west of Farm Cottages, Rodmersham could not be seen from the road;

·         it was important that Stones Farm, Bapchild remained as a green space designation;

·         Queenborough Lines and Beachfields, Sheerness should be designated as local green spaces; and

·         Callum Hill, Lower Halstow, should be recognised as being the highest point between London and Dunkirk, and its historic status should be noted.

In response, the Principal Planning Officer said there was still an opportunity for Members’ comments to be included in the document, and he explained that the sites listed were in addition to what was already in the Local Plan.  He also outlined the specific criteria that sites needed to have to be designated green spaces.  These included being reasonably close to a community and to be small in size.  He added that it was an evidence-based document which could be challenged.

The Chief Executive said the document could be sent out to Members with a clear explanation as to what had already been designated.  In terms of the timetable for Reg 19, the Project Manager explained that as this was an informal consultation there would not be an impact.  He confirmed that a robust approach had been taken on the sites and they needed to meet the criteria for designated local green spaces.

The Chair moved the following motion:  That information be sent to Members on what was already designated and what was proposed as a Local Green Space, and an informal consultation be carried out with Members and Parish and Town Councils, with the information listed parish-by-parish.  This was seconded by Councillor Mike Baldock and on being put to the vote was agreed.

Resolved:

(1)      That information be sent to Members on what was already designated and what was proposed as a Local Green Space, and an informal consultation be carried out with Members and Parish and Town Councils, with the information listed parish-by-parish.