The Committee
considered the report and the urgent update report of the Head of
Planning.
Councillor Skinner of
Thurnham Parish Council and Mr Blythin,
for the applicant, addressed the meeting.
Contrary to the
recommendation of the Head of Planning, the Committee agreed that
subject to negotiations to achieve a suitable alternative surface
to the car park, the Head of Planning be given delegated powers to
grant permission subject to a condition relating to
timescales. In making this decision,
Members felt that due to the long employment history
on this site and the specific nature of the enterprise and its
success, there are exceptional circumstances to grant planning
permission. In addition, the applicant
is undertaking a Travel Plan and it is successful.
RESOLVED: That
subject to negotiations to achieve a suitable alternative
surface to the car park, the Head of Planning be given delegated
powers to grant permission subject to the following condition:-
The
surface hereby permitted shall be constructed within....months of
the date of this permission (the period of time to be 2 or 3
months, depending upon the time of year at which permission is
granted).
Reason: In order to preserve the
visual amenity of the countryside in accordance with policy ENV28
of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000.
Voting: 9 –
For
0 – Against 4
– Abstentions