Councillor Nelson-Gracie stated that he had been lobbied.

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

Mr Jones addressed the meeting on behalf of the applicant.

RESOLVED:

1.  That permission be granted subject to the conditions and informative set out in the report and the additional condition set out in the urgent update report with the amendment of condition 2 and an additional condition as follows:-

  Condition 2 (amended)

Within three months of the date of this permission details of a scheme to restore the land to its condition before the development took place (or as otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority) at the end of the period for which planning permission is granted for the use by those named in condition 1 above and a timetable for its implementation have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The details should include 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 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.  The restoration works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details and within any such timescale as specified.

Reason: To secure appropriate restoration of the site in the interests of protecting the character and appearance of the countryside in accordance with policies ENV28 of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000 and CC1, CC6, and C4 of the South East Plan 2009, and central government planning policy and guidance in PPS1 Delivering Sustainable Development and PPS7 Sustainable Development in Rural Areas.

  Additional Condition

Within one month of the date of this permission, details of the generator to be used and its position within the site shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority.  The use of any generator not in accordance with the approved details shall not occur without the prior written permission of the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure the character of the open countryside and to prevent harm to the residential amenity of nearby occupiers in accordance with policies ENV28 of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000 and CC1, CC6, NRM10 and C4 of the South East Plan 2009, and central government planning policy and guidance in PPS1 Delivering Sustainable Development, PPS7 Sustainable Development in Rural Areas and PPG24 Planning and Noise.

2.  That the reason for approval should be amended to include reference to the South East Plan.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  1 – Abstention