The Planning Applications Committee of Kent County Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 17 June 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a discussion on a proposed new classroom block at Dover Grammar School for Girls, as well as several items dealt with under delegated powers.

Dover Grammar School for Girls Classroom Development

A significant item on the agenda is the proposed demolition of two existing mobile classrooms at Dover Grammar School for Girls and the erection of a single-storey detached classroom block. The report pack indicates that the current mobile classrooms are at the end of their serviceable life and require replacement on health and safety grounds. The proposed new building would replace the two existing structures with a single, larger block, incorporating general classrooms, an ICT classroom, music facilities, and toilet areas.

The report pack notes that the proposal is intended to rationalise and improve existing teaching accommodation, and that there would be no net increase in the number of classrooms or teaching spaces, nor any increase in staff or pupil numbers. The design of the new block is intended to be a single storey, using materials such as red facing brickwork and grey aluminium-framed windows, reflecting the style of more recent permanent buildings on the site. The proposal also includes associated external works, such as new pathways and planting, and aims to meet current accessibility standards.

Concerns have been raised by a local resident regarding the proposed removal of a mature sycamore tree to the north of the development site. The report pack details that while an initial tree survey was conducted, a subsequent survey compliant with BS5837 standards was commissioned. This report indicated the sycamore tree was in poor condition and recommended its removal due to health and safety concerns, exacerbated by recent pollarding. The report pack states that the tree's removal is necessary to accommodate the new building and reconfigure an existing footpath, and that its removal would be balanced against other material planning considerations. The applicant proposes planting three new trees to the north of the replacement classroom block to compensate for the loss of the sycamore.

The report pack also addresses ecological considerations, noting that the development is designed to deliver a minimum of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in accordance with the Dover District Local Plan to 2040 and national legislation. Mitigation measures for other species, including bats, are also outlined, with conditions proposed for further surveys and management plans.

Matters Dealt With Under Delegated Powers

The committee is scheduled to review several items that have been determined under delegated powers. These include:

• County matter applications: A list of decisions made on applications for county matters, which are typically large-scale developments such as waste management facilities or mineral extraction sites.
• County Council developments: A list of decisions made on planning applications submitted by the County Council itself, such as new school buildings or infrastructure projects.
• Screening opinions under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017: These are opinions from the council on whether a proposed development is likely to require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and therefore an Environmental Statement.
• Scoping opinions under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017: These are opinions from the council on the range of issues and level of detail to be included in an Environmental Statement for a proposed development that has been identified as requiring an EIA.

The report pack for the meeting can be accessed via the Agenda frontsheet 17th-Jun-2026 10.00 Planning Applications Committee.pdf and the Public reports pack 17th-Jun-2026 10.00 Planning Applications Committee.pdf.