All Members except Councillor Paterson stated that they had been lobbied.

The Committee considered the report and the urgent update report of the Development Control Manager.

Mr West, for objectors, Mr Holt, the applicant, and Councillor Naghi addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:

1.  That permission be granted subject to the conditions and informative set out in the report with the amendment of condition 1, an additional condition to be numbered as condition 2 and the amendment of original condition 2 (to be renumbered as condition 3) as follows:-

Condition 1 (amended)

Within two months, details of the colour of the external finish (stain) of the building and details of the dark stain of the trellis shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The new colour scheme shall be implemented in full within two months of the decision date and shall thereafter be maintained.

Reason:  In the interest of visual amenity.  This is in accordance with policy H18 of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000 and policies CC6 and BE1 of the South East Plan 2009.

  Additional Condition (to be numbered as Condition 2)

  Notwithstanding the details submitted on drawing no. CB2345.00 received 08/01/10, within two months of the date of this decision a scheme of landscaping including the provision of a beech or hornbeam hedgerow inside the line of fencing along the western boundary to the apex with the southern boundary, and with a return alongside the existing entrance, shall be submitted for approval in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The submitted details shall indicate that the hedgerow is to be maintained to the minimum height of the top of the trellis fencing and shall also show the planting of trees within the line of the required hedgerow. 

Reason:  To ensure a satisfactory setting and external appearance to the development.  This is in accordance with policy H18 of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000 and policies CC6 and BE1 of the South East Plan 2009.

  Original Condition 2 (amended and renumbered as

  Condition 3)

All planting comprised in the approved landscaping scheme submitted pursuant to condition 2 shall be carried out in the first planting or seeding seasons following the approval of the details, and any planting which within a period of ten years from the completion of the development, dies, is removed or becomes seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species, unless the Local Planning Authority gives written consent to any variation.

Reason:  To ensure a satisfactory setting and external appearance to the development.  This is in accordance with policy H18 of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000 and policies CC6 and BE1 of the South East Plan 2009.

2.  That the details to be submitted pursuant to condition 2 (landscaping) must be agreed in consultation with the Ward Members.

Voting:  8 – For  3 – Against  1 – Abstention 

Note:  Having pre-determined this application, Councillor Chittenden did not participate in the voting.