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

In introducing the application, the Senior Planning Officer drew Members’ attention to the urgent update report in which the description of the application had been changed as follows to better reflect its retrospective nature: (Part Retrospective) Siting of 3no. additional static caravans for Gypsy and Traveller use and retrospective siting of 1no. additional static caravan for Gypsy and Traveller use.  He explained that the site currently had permission for three static caravans.  One of these permitted units would be replaced by two smaller units, so in total there would be sevenstatic caravans on the site should Members be minded to approve the application.  Delegated powers were requested to amend condition 3 to reflect this and address representations made. 

RESOLVED:

1.  That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report, as amended by the Senior Planning Officer during his presentation on the application, with the further amendment of condition 3 (Number and Positioning of Caravans) and the amendment of condition 6 (Temporary Buildings or Structures) to prevent further intensification within the site.

2.  That the Head of Development Management be given delegated powers to be able to add, settle or amend any necessary planning conditions in line with the matters set out in the recommendation and as resolved by the Planning Committee.

Voting:  10 – For  0 – Against  3 - Abstentions

FURTHER RESOLVED:  That the Cabinet Members for Planning Policy and Management and Housing and Homelessness be requested to advance the Maidstone Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document as a matter of priority and to provide an update on progress with a timescale.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

Note:  Councillor Harwood, the Cabinet Member for Planning Policy and Management, did not participate in the voting on this request.