19/500765/OUT - OUTLINE APPLICATION (WITH ALL MATTERS RESERVED EXCEPT ACCESS) FOR THE ERECTION OF UP TO 450 MARKET AND AFFORDABLE DWELLINGS, CHILDREN'S NURSERY AND SUPPORTING RETAIL SPACE UP TO 85SQM, WITH PROVISION OF MAIN ACCESS TO HAM LANE; ESTATE ROADS; CYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ROUTES; RESIDENTIAL AND COMMUNITY OPEN SPACE AND LANDSCAPING; NEW JUNCTION  FOR LIDSING ROAD/HEMPSTEAD ROAD AND REALIGNMENT AND WIDENING OF LIDSING ROAD. OFF SITE RELATED HIGHWAY WORKS TO WESTFIELD SOLE ROAD, SHAWSTEAD ROAD, HEMPSTEAD ROAD, CHAPEL LANE, HEMPSTEAD VALLEY DRIVE, HOATH WAY ROUNDABOUT, HOATH WAY AND M2 JUNCTION 4.

19/501988/ADJ - ADJOINING AUTHORITY CONSULTATION FROM MEDWAY COUNCIL - OUTLINE APPLICATION WITH SOME MATTERS RESERVED (APPEARANCE, LANDSCAPING, LAYOUT, SCALE) FOR CONSTRUCTION OF UP TO 450 MARKET AND AFFORDABLE DWELLINGS; NURSERY AND SUPPORTING RETAIL SPACE UP TO 85SQM, WITH PROVISION OF ACCESS; ESTATE ROADS; CYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ROUTES; OFF-SITE HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS; RESIDENTIAL AND COMMUNITY OPEN SPACE AND LANDSCAPING.

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

In presenting the application, the Principal Planning Officer advised the Committee that:

·  Since the publication of the urgent update report, Medway Council had been assessing the proposed works to Byway RC9 in Lordswood and further drawings had been submitted which necessitated an amendment to condition 6 (Footway/Cycleway Link).  This would require the footway/cycleway link on land outside the ownership of the applicant to be completed before any development within the Borough.

·  In addition, some further objections had been received but no more planning matters had been raised which had not been fully assessed in the report and the urgent update report.

Application 19/500765/OUT

The Chairman read out a statement which had been submitted by Mr Miller (an objector).

Councillor Hinder addressed the Committee on behalf of Boxley Parish Council and in his capacity as a Ward Member.

Councillor Jones of Bredhurst Parish Council addressed the Committee by video link.

The Chairman then read out a statement on behalf of Mr Hume (agent for the applicant).

RESOLVED:

1.  That subject to:

(A)  The prior completion of a legal agreement in such terms as the Head of Legal Partnership may advise to secure the Heads of Terms set out in the report with the amendment of the second Heads of Terms to include reference to Yelsted Lane; AND

(B)  The conditions and informatives set out in the report, as amended by the urgent update report and by the Principal Planning Officer at the meeting, with further amendments regarding:

(i)  The landscape treatment at the western part of the site to the west of Elm Court to achieve thicker buffer planting around the boundary, connecting the three Ancient Woodlands; and

(ii)  The strengthening of the conditions relating to landscaping and biodiversity enhancements to clarify that the landscape scheme shall comprise native species, excluding Sycamore trees, and that the boundary treatments should include gaps under fences for movement of wildlife,

the Head of Planning and Development be given delegated powers to grant permission and to be able to settle or amend any necessary Heads of Terms in line with the matters set out in the recommendation and as resolved by the Planning Committee and to finalise the wording of the amended conditions and to amend any other conditions as a consequence.

2.  That the Officers be requested to consider the possibility of a Traffic Regulation Order to address Boxley Parish Council’s request that if the development proceeds, no construction traffic should be allowed to use Yelsted Lane.

Voting:  8 – For  3 – Against  1 - Abstention

Application 19/501988/ADJ

RESOLVED:  That Medway Council be informed that no objections are raised subject to consideration of the matters outlined in the report, as amended by the urgent update report, and the issues raised in the Committee’s discussions regarding application 19/500765/OUT.

Voting:  8 – For  3 – Against  1 – Abstention

Note:  Councillor Brindle did not participate in the discussion and voting on these applications.