The Planning Applications Committee of Kent Council met on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, to discuss and decide on planning applications. The committee granted permission for the demolition of two mobile classrooms and the erection of a replacement classroom block at Dover Grammar School for Girls. They also noted several matters dealt with under delegated powers, including county matter applications, county council developments, screening opinions, and scoping opinions.

Demolition and Replacement of Classrooms at Dover Grammar School for Girls

The committee granted planning permission for the demolition of two mobile classrooms at Dover Grammar School for Girls in Dover and the erection of a new single-storey detached classroom block. The existing mobile classrooms were identified as end-of-life and required removal on health and safety grounds. The new building will provide a general classroom, an ICT classroom, a music classroom, a music practice room, and two music studios.

The decision to grant permission was made despite an objection from a local resident concerning the removal of a mature sycamore tree. Officers noted that the tree was in poor health and required removal on health and safety grounds regardless of the development. The proposed development was considered to be a betterment over the current facilities, with no net increase in teaching accommodation or pupil numbers. Conditions were imposed to secure a detailed landscaping scheme, tree protection measures, and a biodiversity net gain of over 10%.

During the debate, councillors raised questions about the inclusion of renewable energy sources such as rooftop solar panels and air source heat pumps. Officers explained that while a Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) scheme was included, these renewable energy provisions were not part of the application due to the building's smaller scale and modular construction. Concerns were also raised about the impact on trees and the need for careful landscaping, which officers assured would be addressed through the required landscaping scheme and construction management plan. The committee also discussed the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) report, noting that while a report was submitted with the application, the formal document would be submitted post-decision as per standard procedure.

Matters Dealt With Under Delegated Powers

The committee noted several items that had been determined under delegated powers since the previous meeting. These included:

• County Matter Applications: A range of applications related to minerals and waste management, including details for operational management plans, construction management plans, and variations to existing planning permissions.
• County Council Developments: Applications for county council development projects, primarily education-related, such as the approval of details for road construction, ecology and landscape management plans, and the erection of new school buildings.
• Screening Opinions: Opinions on whether proposed developments required an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). In this instance, one screening opinion was adopted, concluding that the upgrade to Cowden Wastewater Treatment Works did not require an EIA.
• Scoping Opinions: Opinions on the scope of Environmental Impact Assessments for proposed developments. One scoping opinion was adopted for a Section 73 application at Shelford Farm Estate to increase the annual throughput of a waste management facility.

The committee also discussed the process for determining applications under delegated powers, noting that national legislation would lead to changes in delegation arrangements from October. It was clarified that if there is one material objection to a county matter application, it is brought before the committee; otherwise, it is determined by the head of the planning applications group. Concerns were raised by Councillor Stuart Heaver about the lack of committee scrutiny for large-scale, politically sensitive matters like the Otterpool Park wastewater treatment works proposal, even in the absence of objections.

The meeting concluded at 10:35 am.