There were no apologies.

There were no Substitute Members.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Naghi be elected as Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

There were no disclosures.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED: That all items be taken in public as proposed.

The persons participating in the hearing were identified as follows:

Chairman – Councillor Naghi

Committee Member – Councillor Hinder

Committee Member – Councillor J Sams

Substitute Committee Member Councillor Brindle was present to observe the meeting.

Legal Advisor – Mrs Sarah Beasley, observed by Mr Robin Harris

Online Facilitator/Democratic Services Officer – Miss Oliviya Parfitt

Applicant – Mrs Maria Herriot

Witnesses to be called by the Applicant:

Mr Damian Daunt

Objector – Councillor Geraldine Brown, Chairman of Yalding Parish Council

Witnesses to be called by the Objector:

Ms Angela Gent, Clerk to Yalding Parish Council.

All parties confirmed that they were aware of the Sub-Committee hearing procedure and had each received a copy of the hearing procedure document.

The Chairman explained that:

·  The Sub-Committee would allow all parties to put their case fully and make full submissions within a reasonable time frame.

·  The procedure would take the form of a discussion led by the Sub-Committee and they would usually permit cross-examination conducted within a reasonable timeframe.

·  Any persons attending the hearing who behaved in a disruptive manner may be directed to leave the hearing by the Sub-Committee (including temporarily) after which, such person may submit to the Sub-Committee over the Instant Messaging facility any information which that person would have been entitled to give orally had the person not been required to leave the meeting. If this is not possible, they may be permitted to speak at the Chairman’s Invitation.

The Sub-Committee confirmed that they had read all the papers.

The Chairman enquired whether any draft conditions had been agreed between the applicant and other parties; no draft conditions had been agreed.

The Senior Lawyer (Contentious) introduced the report and summarised the application. The information contained with the Appendices to the report were outlined.

The applicant was invited to make their opening remarks. Mrs Maria Herriot stated that the road where the unit would be placed had unrestricted parking on one side, in response to the parking and congestion concerns raised by Yalding Parish Council.

The applicant’s witness, Mr Damian Daunt, was invited to address the panel. Mr Daunt stated that there were no yellow lines in front of the proposed site location and that there was sufficient parking nearby which included the car park in which the unit would be based.

In response to questions from the panel, Mrs Herriot stated that there was a high footfall in the area that they would be able to serve, due to the local businesses and tourism within the area. Mrs Herriot stated that there would be at least two staff members within the premises at all times, but that as the business did not yet have any employees, only one staff member (herself) was included within the application form. It was stated that there was a clear view of the road from the proposed location and that signage would be erected to advise against illegal parking and encourage courtesy towards the local neighbours.

In response to questions from the objector, Mrs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.