All Members stated that they had been lobbied.

The Committee considered the report and the urgent update report of the Head of Planning and Development.

Mr Witts, for objectors, Councillor Mannington of Marden Parish Council (against), Miss Ashton, for the applicants, and Councillors McLoughlin and Mrs Blackmore addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:

1.  That subject to the prior completion of a S106 legal agreement in such terms as the Head of Legal Services may advise to secure the following:-

The provision of a minimum of 40% affordable housing;

A contribution of £118,764 for NHS Property Services towards the improvement of services and facilities at the Marden Medical Centre and Staplehurst Medical Centre;

A contribution of £239,637.44 for Kent County Council towards primary school expansion within a 2 mile radius of the application site, or further if considered necessary in consultation with the County Council;

A contribution of £239,519.76 for Kent County Council towards the extension of existing local secondary schools to cater for the additional demand for places within a 10 mile radius of the application site;

A contribution of £2,126.30 for Kent County Council towards the provision of bookstock and services at Marden Library to meet the additional demand on the resource;

A contribution of £3,158.10 for Kent County Council towards new/expanded facilities and services for adult education centres and outreach community learning facilities in the area;

An Adult Social Services contribution of £1,754.50 for Kent County Council to be used towards the provision of Telecare and the enhancement of local community facilities to ensure full DDA compliant access to clients;

The provision of additional cycle parking facilities at Marden Station, adjacent to Marden Library and in the village centre adjacent to the Post Office as set out within the interim travel plan; 

Details of the provision and subsequent management of the open space, green and allotment areas within the site; and

A contribution of £88,000 for Maidstone Borough Council Parks and Leisure to be used towards the upgrading of Marden Playing Fields,

the Head of Planning and Development be given delegated powers to grant permission subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report, as amended by the urgent update report, with the amendment of condition 22 and an additional informative as follows:-

Condition 22 (amended)

Notwithstanding the details and recommendations set out in section 5 of the ecological survey report dated January 2013 prepared by Aspect Ecology and the principles shown on drawing no. R.0283_10revE (strategic landscape masterplan), the development shall not commence until an ecological enhancement and management plan and revised mitigation strategy has been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.  The plan and revised mitigation strategy shall include the following:-

i)  A detailed translocation plan for reptiles that, inter-alia, provides for a minimum of 5 clear trapping days before a destructive search is undertaken.

ii)   The provision of bat bricks/boxes, bird nesting boxes and swift bricks.

iii)  The retention of a proportion of the cordwood within the site.

iv)  The provision of refugia and hibernacula.

v)  Precise details of the proposed pond.  The details shall include the provision of shallow areas, and deeper, cooler areas, as well as the planting regime for the pond.

vi)  Details of the wildflower seed mixes for the meadow area within the site and pond edges.

The development shall thereafter be undertaken in accordance with the subsequently approved details.

Reason:  To secure appropriate management and enhancement within the site in the interests of ecology and biodiversity pursuant to the advice in the National Planning Policy Framework 2012.

Additional Informative

An Implementation Committee comprising Ward Members, representatives of the Parish Council and the applicants and Councillors Collins and Harwood is to be set up to monitor all aspects of the construction and the development.  The nominal costs of administering the Committee are to be met by the applicants.

2.  That the timeframe for the repayment of any unspent S106 contributions for education be extended to seven years.

3.  That the Officers be given delegated powers to seek to negotiate the provision of a connection from the rear of the site to link with PROW KM 245.

Voting:  8 – For  2 – Against  2 – Abstentions

Note:  Councillor Nelson-Gracie requested that his dissent be recorded