All Members stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Mr Hill, an objector, Mr Foster, for the applicant, and Councillor Garland addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That permission be granted subject to the conditions and informative set out in the report and the additional condition and informatives set out in the urgent update report with the amendment of condition 8 and the informative relating to street furniture and an additional informative as follows:-

Condition 8 (amended)

Notwithstanding the details submitted, no development shall take place until there has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority a scheme of landscaping in accordance with Drawing No. 009 Revision B (draft) amended to show the approximate location of all trees (including the three additional trees located in King Street and the Lower High Street) and replacing Acer campestre “Elsrijk” with Acer campestre “Streetwise”.  These details shall include any trees to be retained, together with measures for their protection in the course of the development and a programme for the approved scheme’s implementation and long term management.

Reason:  To ensure a high quality finish to the development hereby permitted in accordance with PPS1, PPS5 and the Kent Design Guide.

Informative (Street Furniture)(amended)

All street furniture, including lamp columns, CCTV columns, bus stops, refuse bins, railings and seating shall be designed in such a way as to reflect the Maidstone Blue colour and form of the furniture provided elsewhere within the Town Centre by the Local Authority.

Additional Informative

A Monitoring Panel comprising Officers and Ward Members should be set up to ensure that all aspects of the development are completed as approved.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  1 – Abstention