The Committee considered the report of the Head of Development Management.

Councillor Thomas of Headcorn Parish Council and Mr Roberts, the applicant, addressed the meeting.

Following the public speaking, those present observed a minute’s silence in memory of the veterans who take their own lives each year.

Councillors Parfitt-Reid, Round, Cleator, Naghi and Trzebinski (Visiting Members) then addressed the meeting.

Contrary to the recommendation of the Officers that permission be refused, the Committee agreed that subject to the prior completion of a unilateral undertaking focused on the business plan put forward by the applicant and refining it, the Head of Development Management be given delegated powers to grant permission subject to conditions focused on inter alia landscaping (planting to help soften the impact of the building), ecology, hours of use and minimising harm to residential amenity (low level lighting if any lighting at all and other ‘Good Neighbour’ type conditions).

In making this decision, due to the landscape context of the application site, particularly the site’s proximity to the large indoor equestrian centre and The Meadows Gypsy and Traveller site, together with the Landscape Character Area Guidelines being dated 2012, the Committee considered that the landscape harm here added to the significant recognised benefits of the proposed use make this particular proposal an exception to Development Plan policies and is therefore acceptable.

RESOLVED:  That subject to the prior completion of a unilateral undertaking focused on the business plan put forward by the applicant and refining it, the Head of Development Management be given delegated powers to grant permission subject to conditions focused on inter alia landscaping (planting to help soften the impact of the building), ecology, hours of use and minimising harm to residential amenity (low level lighting if any lighting at all and other ‘Good Neighbour’ type conditions).

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  1 - Abstention