Planning Minutes – 4th August 2025

Minutes Uploaded on August 11, 2025

PADDOCK WOOD TOWN COUNCIL

The Podmore Building, St Andrews Field, St Andrews Road

Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6HT

Telephone: 01892 837373

paddockwood-tc.gov.uk

MINUTES OF A MEETING of the Planning Committee held on Monday 4^th August 2025 at 7:45pm at the Day Centre Commercial Road

PRESENT: C Williams, in the chair

Cllr K Braakensiek, A Mackie, R Moon

IN ATTENDANCE: E Small, Deputy Clerk

APOLOGIES: Cllr D Sargison

PE29 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None

PE30 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 21^st July 2025 were approved.

PE31 PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION

Application details can be found at twbcpa.midkent.gov.uk/online-applications. Add the numerical part of the application number e.g., 20/12345 into the search box and the application will come up.

Application

Address

Proposal

Comments

25/01428/

FULL

25 Eastwell Close, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, Kent,

TN12 6UH

Conversion of part of garage to a home office;

alterations to existing flat roof to be part pitched, part

flat. Addition of front entrance porch & bay window

Cllr C Williams proposed, Cllr A Mackie seconded:

No objection, however the Town Council have the following concerns:

· The loss of garage space.

· The roof will be out of keeping with the street.

· The pitch roof may create a larger roof surface area which will need sufficient surface water management, especially due to the proximity of the gravelly way river.

Carried, 3 in favour 1 abstention.

25/01668/

FULL

25 The Greenways, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, Kent,

TN12 6LS

Replacement of conservatory with single storey rear

extension & first floor side extension

Cllr C Williams proposed, Cllr R Moon seconded:

Object due to the following reasons:

· Over intensive – the site is too small for such a large expansion.

· There is no information on surface water management for the additional roof space or waste-water management for the proposed ensuite. Both crucial due to the historical flooding issues in this location.

Carried unanimously

25/01709/

FULL

18 Ballard Way, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, Kent,

TN12 6HZ

Demolition of the existing garage & conservatory &

erection of a single-storey rear & two-storey side

extension

Cllr C Williams proposed, Cllr K Braakensiek seconded:

Object on the following reasons:

· Over intensive application for the size of the plot

· No flood risk assessment (please refer to the Environmental Agency email specifying the lack of this)

· No information on the surface water management due to the additional roof space

· No information on the management of the fowl waste due to the additional bathrooms

· Concerns over contaminated land (please refer to the Environmental Protection letter)

· Bay window removes parking space, in an area lacking in on street parking.

· A poor design statement in general that does not address enough of the issues.

Carried unanimously

PE32 DECISIONS BY TWBC

Application

Address

TWBC Decision

PWTC Comments

25/01245/FULL

8 Hornbeam Close, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, Kent,

TN12 6LL –

Single storey rear extension

Grants

No objection

PE33 CHAIRMANS UPDATE

a) Update from Cllr C. Williams following meeting with TWBC Planning Officer Kevin Hope:

Adoption of the Local Plan is expected to take place this Autumn.
The Environment Agency (EA) has introduced revised flood zones in Paddock Wood. However, Kevin Hope confirmed that the TWBC Local Plan can continue to use the previous flood mapping, so this will not impact future developments.
Dandara will not be able to submit their hybrid application until the Local Plan is adopted, as this is required for the necessary green belt release of the proposed land.
Cllr Williams queried why the wording regarding the swimming pool had not been strengthened, as the inspector had requested. Kevin explained that the wording remains “may deliver” to protect the Town Council in case it is not financially feasible to build or operate the facility.
TWBC is aware that Paddock Wood does not want the athletics club to relocate to the school grounds (as suggested in Persimmon’s feasibility report). However, they must consider all options. Kevin explained that any sports development will need to focus on a “sport of excellence,” as it involves a significant Section 106 contribution. Feasibility studies are still ongoing, and no decisions have been made yet.
Cllr Williams reiterated that the Neighbourhood Plan should be referred to and followed by TWBC.
Highway modelling has been carried out with all four developers and Kent County Council (KCC). Results are expected in early Autumn and will be incorporated into the Eastern application (Persimmon & Redrow), as they have already submitted planning applications. Developers will meet with the Town Council to discuss these findings.
TWBC is taking on board some of the suggestions made during the recent Town Centre walkaround.
Kevin explained that future meetings will become more formal and minuted, especially once the Local Plan is adopted, as developers will then begin submitting applications and moving forward with building plans.

b) Meeting with Dandara:

Representatives from Dandara met with the Town Council on Monday, 28th July, to provide an initial overview of their development ideas. They have not yet submitted any application. Please refer to the attached minutes for further details.

PE34 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will take place at 7pm on Monday 18^th August 2025 in the Day Centre, Commercial Road, Paddock Wood.

Meeting closed at 9:15pm