Councillors Barned, English and Paine stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Councillor Budgen of Barming Parish Council (against), Mr Hare, for the applicant, and Councillor Mrs Gooch (against) addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:

1.  That objections be raised to this application for the reasons set out in the report, as amended by the urgent update report, with the amendment of the second reason and an additional reason and informative as follows:-

  Reason 2 (amended)

  The proposal would fail to protect ancient woodland from damaging development and land uses and would therefore be contrary to policy NRM7 of the South East Plan 2009.  Therefore, on arboricultural grounds the application for a proposed westerly extension to Hermitage Quarry should be resisted unless the County is satisfied that the application fulfils the criteria set out within PPS9 for granting planning consent within ancient woodland and complies with Natural England's Ancient Woodland Standing Advice.

  Additional Reason

  Oaken Wood is a core site within the Kent Biodiversity Action Plan and Greensand Heaths and Commons Biodiversity Opportunity Area, and the proposal would be contrary to the aims of planning policies NRM5 and NRM7 of the South East Plan 2009 and PPS9 Biodiversity and Geological Conservation.

  Informative

  Maidstone Borough Council does not accept the contents of the Natural England letter dated 16 November 2010 and is seeking clarification and justification for the proposed reclassification of the ancient woodland by Natural England.

2.  That Natural England should be asked to clarify and justify the proposed reclassification of the ancient woodland.

3.  That the Borough Council should be represented by an appropriate Officer at the meeting of the County Council’s Planning Applications Committee, if procedures allow, when the application is considered.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

Note:  Councillor Robertson did not participate in the discussion or voting on this application.

FURTHER RESOLVED:  That the County Council be informed that the voting on this matter was unanimous.