The Committee received a reference from the Council asking that it consider the above petition in so far as it concerned planning enforcement.

The petition related to the protection of the countryside and the character of the areas around Wierton, Chart Sutton, Boughton Monchelsea and the Greensand Way.  Specifically, the fourth point of the petition called upon the Council to co-ordinate with Kent County Council and other agencies to act swiftly to enforce established planning policies in dealing with all unlawful developments.

To assist Members in their discussion, the Head of Planning submitted details of the Council’s approach to enforcement; the number of enforcement/other formal notices served during the period 1 April to 31 December 2011; the liaison with other sections within the Council (e.g. Environmental Enforcement), Kent County Council (e.g. Highways and Planning) and other bodies such as the Environment Agency when the need arose; and the work being undertaken to reduce the backlog of enforcement cases.  It was noted that the Council undertook its planning enforcement function in accordance with an established policy and had sought to address unauthorised development in the area identified by the petitioners through the issue of six enforcement notices.  Co-operation with other agencies was an important part of all investigations when the need arose and this would continue to be the case. 

Councillor Harwood stated that he was a Member of the Local Development Document Task and Finish Panel which had looked at this petition.  However, he had left the meeting when the petition was discussed as it referred to specific planning applications.

The Committee then discussed the policy implications of the petition in so far as it related to the protection of the Greensand Ridge, which was not the subject of any landscape designation in the Local Plan.  It was suggested that the Leader of the Council be requested to consider the development of policies to protect the Greensand Ridge through the LDF process and to make representations to the Government seeking an expansion of the scope within the National Planning Policy Framework for local landscape designations.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the petition and the response of the Head of Planning to the issues raised in relation to enforcement be noted.

2.  That the Leader of the Council be requested to consider the development of policies to protect the Greensand Ridge through the LDF process and to make representations to the Government seeking an expansion of the scope within the National Planning Policy Framework for local landscape designations.