Highsted Park - Called in by the Secretary of State

The expected decision meeting about the planning applications for West of Teynham and South and East of Sittingbourne did not follow the expected agenda, because the Secretary of State decided to call in the planning applications just before it took place. This means that the decision about the planning applications will now be taken away from the Local Planning Authority. The Secretary of State has decided to hold a local inquiry instead and that will be arranged by the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol.

Despite this decision by the Secretary of State the Planning Committee Meeting still went ahead, but with a revised recommendation to put the handling of Swale Borough Council's preparation for the inquiry in the hands of the Swale Planning Manager. The Planning Officer described both applications and speakers read out their statements. The meeting closed with a unanimous vote supporting the recommendation.

Local Parish Councils spoke against the applications at the meeting, including Bredgar. There were some speakers for the applications, including Sittingbourne Football Club, whose main sponsor is Quinn Estates.

The full meeting including all statements is available to view on YouTube here.