All Members stated that they had been lobbied.

The Committee considered the report and the urgent update report of the Head of Planning.

Mrs Hubbard, for objectors, Councillor Perry of Staplehurst Parish Council (against) and Mr Anderson, for the applicant, addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:

1.  That subject to:-

  A.  The prior completion of a S106 legal agreement in such terms as the Head of Legal Services may advise to secure the following:-

·  The provision of 40% affordable residential units within the application site;

·  A contribution of £39,750 for Maidstone Borough Council Parks and Open Space towards the provision of allotments in Staplehurst, the provision of outdoor sports facilities in Staplehurst and for improvements, maintenance and replacement of play equipment at the Surrenden Road play area;

·  A contribution of £1,472 for Kent County Council towards books, staff and extended hours at Staplehurst Library;

·  A contribution of £1,160 for Kent County Council towards new/expanded facilities and services for community learning covering the Staplehurst area, both in adult education centres and through outreach community learning facilities;

·  A contribution of £819 for Kent County Council for adult social services to be spent on assistive technology and the enhancement of local community facilities to ensure full DDA access;

·  A contribution of £37,296 for the Primary Care Trust towards the improvement of the existing healthcare facilities within the locality; and

·  The proposed public space as open to the public in perpetuity and its long term management,

AND

  B.  A review of condition 11 (Reptile Mitigation Strategy) to address Members’ concerns that the proposed receptor site is not of a suitable standard to receive translocated animals and to give consideration to using the southern part of the application site as an alternative receptor site,

the Head of Planning be given delegated powers to grant permission subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report, as amended by the urgent update report, with the amendment of condition 11 if necessary and the following additional conditions:-

The proposed rooflights to the north elevation of plots 50/51 shall be installed such that they are a minimum of 1.7m above the finished floor level of the room in which they are installed at their lowest point.

Reason:  To preserve residential amenity for neighbouring properties, in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework 2012.

The development shall be constructed such that equipment is integrated into the dwellings so as to enable a broadband service to be provided to future occupiers of the dwellings hereby permitted.

Reason:  To facilitate high quality communication for the local community, in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework 2012.

2.  That Councillors Chittenden, Harwood, Hogg and D Mortimer are to be involved in the discussions regarding condition 11.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  1 – Abstention