Councillor Lusty stated that he had been lobbied.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning.

Mr Atkinson, an objector, Councillor Butcher of Staplehurst Parish Council, and Mr Court, for the applicant, addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED: That permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report with the following additional condition:-

The development hereby permitted shall not commence until details have been submitted to and approved by the local planning authority showing the provision of swift bricks on the building set at a minimum height of 5m above ground level. The development shall thereafter be undertaken in accordance with the subsequently approved details

Reason: In the interests of biodiversity, in accordance with policy NRM5 of the South East Plan 2009 and  the advice in the National Planning Policy Framework 2012.

Voting:  13 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions