The Folkestone and Hythe Planning and Licensing Committee met to discuss several planning applications, including a large housing development at Elmtree Farm, and made decisions on licensing and planning matters. The committee approved the Elmtree Farm development, granted permission for a training track at Little Woodland Farm, but refused a variation to the hours of site access at the same location.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics discussed:

Land at Elmtree Farm, Main Road, Sellindge, Ashford, TN25 6JY

The committee approved an outline application for the demolition of existing farm buildings and the erection of a community extension comprising up to 105 homes at Land at Elmtree Farm, including affordable and self/custom-build housing, commercial/community uses, and land for school expansion.

The decision was made subject to conditions and the applicant entering into a section 106 agreement securing affordable housing, self-build/custom housing, transfer of school expansion land, medical facility provision, and contributions towards education and special educational needs and disability (SEND). The Chief Planning Officer was given delegated authority to finalise the wording of the conditions and the legal agreement.

The committee also adopted the Appropriate Assessment under the Habitat Regulations 2017, delegating authority to the Chief Planning Officer to enter into a section 106 agreement to secure required mitigation and address associated issues.

Lisa Entwistle, a local resident, spoke against the application. Councillor Simon Instance, speaking on behalf of Sellindge Parish Council, also addressed the committee. Chris Pragnell, representing Quinn Estates, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Mrs Jennifer Hollingsbee, Leader of the Conservative Group, withdrew from the item after declaring that her son and his family live adjacent to the site. Councillor Gary Fuller was not present at the start of the item.

Little Woodland Farm, The Workshop, Woodland Road, Lyminge

22/1122/FH - Retrospective application for retention of test and training track and associated safety lighting

The committee granted planning permission for the retrospective application at Little Woodland Farm, subject to conditions. The Principal Planning Officer advised the committee that officers would like to amend some of the conditions on this application, as well as that of 25/0038/FH, which is on the same site. They would like Condition 4 to reflect Condition 3 on the latter application, to allow any lighting to operate in conjunction with out-of-hours access. Officers would also like to expand Condition 5 to include an aspect requiring the submission of a verification report once the acoustic fence is installed. The Chief Planning Officer was given delegated authority to finalise the wording of the conditions, with reference to verification testing of the proposed acoustic fence.

Colin Stirling, a local resident, spoke against the application. Councillor Gillian Heywood, speaking on behalf of Lyminge Parish Council, also addressed the committee. Alice Beeken, an agent, spoke in support of the application.

25/0038/FH - Variation of Condition 8 (hours of site access)

The committee refused planning permission for a variation of Condition 8 (hours of site access) of planning permission Y10/0694/SH to allow for increased hours to access the site for emergencies.

The committee's decision was made on the grounds that the use of the site for the purposes set out in the application, and outside the hours specified by the planning permission, would give rise to noise and disturbance and light pollution, harmful to the residential amenity of the occupiers of nearby dwellings and to the special scenic character including the dark skies of the national landscape. The Chief Planning Officer was given delegated authority to determine the precise wording of the reason for refusal.

Tristan Bruce, a local resident, spoke against the application. Councillor Gillian Heywood, speaking on behalf of Lyminge Parish Council, also addressed the committee. Alice Beeken, an agent, spoke in support of the application.

Offices, Bus Station, Bouverie Square, Folkestone, CT20 1BA

The committee approved details pursuant to condition 4 Part A (archaeology) and condition 5 Parts A, B and C (contamination) of planning permission 24/1650/FH for the offices at Bouverie Square Bus Station. The Strategic Sites Development Manager advised the Committee that advice had been received from the Council's contamination consultant that the remediation strategy submitted is acceptable, and sufficient for approval in relation to Part C of Condition 5. This was the only outstanding matter not covered in the report and means that the officers' recommendation can now be to approve the details.

Licensing Act Sub-Committee Minutes

The committee approved the minutes of the Licensing Act Sub-Committee meeting held on 19 August 2025.

The sub-committee had convened to discuss an application for a review of a premises licence for Littlestone Store, following an application made by PC Alistair Pringle on behalf of Kent Police.

PC Alistair Pringle addressed the sub-committee, citing proven sales of alcohol to young people, breaches of licensing conditions, and the employment of someone who did not have the right to work in the UK. Oliver Jewell and Andy Blair, officers of Kent County Council's Trading Standards division, outlined a history of complaints against the premises and failures of staff to prevent the sale of age-related products. Mr Sivananthini Kirupakarab, the licence holder, and his representative, Mr Naga Rajesh, presented their account of the incident on 31 May and the measures taken to prevent recurrence.

The sub-committee resolved to revoke the licence.