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23/504552/FULL - Former Royal Mail Sorting Office, Sandling Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 2RJ

Meeting: 26/09/2024 - Planning Committee (Item 150)

150 23/504552/FULL - Former Royal Mail Sorting Office, Sandling Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 2RJ pdf icon PDF 575 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

The Head of Development Management clarified that the Council had adopted a new Local Plan which designates much of the urban area, including where this application was situated, as a low value zone. He explained the applicant had demonstrated that the application was unable to provide any affordable housing due to viability. National policy requires viability be weighed in the balance but the Local Plan gives more weight to viability as a material consideration.

 

Philip Morris, as the applicant’s representative, and Councillor Wales, a Visiting Member, addressed the committee.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That permission be granted subject to planning conditions, heads of terms, and delegated powers to negotiate amended plans to reduce the amount of hard surfacing within the central open space as set out in the report, with

 

2.  The following informatives:

 

The landscaping details submitted under condition 21 should avoid the use of non-native species.

 

Ward Councillors shall be consulted on any submission of condition 21 (landscaping).

 

The play equipment details submitted under condition 20 should avoid the use of a water fountain/water feature.

 

3.  Amendment to condition 20 to include reference to catering for ‘needs’ as well as a range ages for play equipment.

 

4.  That the Head of Development Management be given delegated powers to investigate whether a wet pond feature can be provided in the northwest corner of the site.

 

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

 

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

 


Meeting: 19/09/2024 - Planning Committee (Item 134)

134 23/504552/FULL - Former Royal Mail Sorting Office, Sandling Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 2RJ pdf icon PDF 575 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Rolled over to the adjourned meeting on 26 September 2024.