It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Eves and Munford.

It was noted that Councillor Mrs Gooch was substituting for Councillor Munford.

There were no Visiting Members.

There were none.

The Chairman said that, in his opinion, the update report of the Head of Planning and Development and any updates to be included in the Officer presentations should be taken as urgent items as they contained further information relating to the applications to be considered at the meeting.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

All Members stated that they had been lobbied on the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application 20/505808/FULL (Land Adjacent 2 School Lane, Maidstone, Kent).

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

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

The Chairman read out statements on behalf of Ms Goodhew, an objector, and Mr Cox, the applicant.

RESOLVED:  That consideration of this application be deferred to:

Negotiate the use of ragstone only for the exterior walls of the whole building;

Add a landscaping condition to secure native species hedgerow planting along the rear and side back garden boundaries;

Add a condition relating to external lighting given the proximity of Mote Park; and

Amend the wording of condition 11 (Biodiversity Enhancements) to remove reference to native species planting and to require integral niches for wildlife (bird, bat and bee bricks) and gaps under fences to allow the movement of wildlife.

Voting:   12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning and Development.

RESOLVED:

1.  That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report and an additional condition requiring integral niches for wildlife (swift, bat and bee bricks) within the development.

2.  That the Head of Planning and Development be given delegated powers to finalise the wording of the additional condition and to amend any other conditions as a consequence.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning and Development.

RESOLVED:  That permission be granted with the informative set out in the report.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

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

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

Note:  Prior to the closure of the meeting, the Chairman thanked Members and Officers for their services and contribution to the work of the Committee over the past two years

6.00 p.m. to 7.05 p.m.