It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Ash and Garland.

It was noted that Councillor McLoughlin was substituting for Councillor Ash.

Councillor Thick indicated his wish to speak on the reports of the Head of Planning relating to applications MA/12/1772 and MA/12/2113.

There were none.

Update Report

The Chairman stated that, in his opinion, the update report of the Head of Planning should be taken as an urgent item because it contained further information relating to the applications to be considered at the meeting.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

RESOLVED:  That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 April 2013 be approved as a correct record and signed.

There were no petitions.

MA/12/0232 - ERECTION OF A CLASS A1 RETAIL STORE, ASSOCIATED PARKING AND PETROL FILLING STATION; TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE COMPRISING BUS AND TAXI DROP-OFF/PICK UP FACILITIES, 39 SHORT STAY RAILWAY STATION CAR PARKING SPACES AND COVERED WALKWAY TO EXISTING RAILWAY STATION BUILDING; AND 660-SPACE COMMUTER CAR PARK AND NATURE AREA - LAND AT STATION APPROACH AND GEORGE STREET, STAPLEHURST

The representative of the Head of Planning advised Members that amended plans had been received and put out to re-consultation.  The responses were being assessed and the application would be reported back to the Committee in the near future.

The Chairman and Councillors English, Hogg, Newton and Paine stated that they had been lobbied.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning.

Councillor Russell of Headcorn Parish Council (against) and Mr Woods, for the applicants, addressed the meeting.  Councillor Thick also addressed the meeting on this application and application MA/12/2113.

RESOLVED:  That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report and the following informative:-

The occupiers are advised to remove all redundant material and waste from the site and are reminded of condition 4 of the permission which prevents commercial activities including the storage of materials.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

The Chairman and Councillors English, Hogg, Newton and Paine stated that they had been lobbied.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning.

Councillor Russell of Headcorn Parish Council (against) and Mr Woods, for the applicants, addressed the meeting.  Councillor Thick said that his comments in relation to application MA/12/1772 also applied to this application. 

RESOLVED:  That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report and the following informative:-

The occupiers are advised to remove all redundant material and waste from the site and are reminded of condition 4 of the permission which prevents commercial activities including the storage of materials.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

All Members except Councillors McLoughlin, Paterson and J. A. Wilson stated that they had been lobbied.

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

RESOLVED:  That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report as amended by the urgent update report.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning.

RESOLVED:  That this application be referred to the Secretary of State for determination with the recommendation that listed building consent be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning setting out details of appeal decisions received since the last meeting.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

The Chairman announced that since this was the last meeting of the Municipal Year, he would like to thank Members and Officers for their work and support.  He would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate Councillor English on being appointed as Mayor Select and to wish him a successful year as Mayor.  On behalf of the Committee, Councillor English thanked the Chairman for his work over the past year.

6.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.