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

Councillor Burnham of Staplehurst Parish Council (against) addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report with the amendment of conditions 2, 5 and 6 and informative 2 as follows:-

Condition 2 (amended)

The development shall not commence until written details and samples of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the building(s) hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and the development shall be constructed using the approved materials.  Notwithstanding thedetails already approved, these details required to be submitted shall include cladding (to match that of the existing properties within the vicinity) of the flank wall of the approved building at first floor level.

Reason:  To ensure a satisfactory appearance to the development in accordance with policies BE1 and CC6 of the South East Plan 2009. 

Condition 5 (amended) 

No development shall take place until there has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority a scheme of landscaping, using indigenous species, which shall include indications of all existing trees and hedgerows on the land, and details of any to be retained, together with measures for their protection in the course of development and a programme for the approved scheme's implementation and long term management.  The scheme shall be designed using the principles established in the Council's adopted Landscape Character Assessment and Landscape Guidelines and shall also include the retention of the existing hedgerow on the eastern boundary of the site.

Reason:  No such details have been submitted. 

Condition 6 (amended)

All planting, seeding or turfing comprised in the approved details of landscaping shall be carried out in the first planting and seeding seasons following the occupation of the building(s) or the completion of the development, whichever is the sooner; and any trees or plants which within a period of ten years from the completion of the development die, are removed or become 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 in accordance with policies ENV6 of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000 and BE1 and CC6 of the South East Plan 2009.

Informative 2 (amended)

No burning should be carried out on site during works.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions