It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Harwood and Paterson.

It was noted that Councillor Mrs Smith was substituting for Councillor Paterson.

Councillor Mrs Parvin indicated her wish to speak on the report of the Head of Development Management relating to application MA/10/0140.

Councillor Sherreard indicated his wish to speak on the reports of the Head of Development Management relating to applications MA/10/0790 and MA/10/0791.

There were none.

Update Report

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

Councillor Ash disclosed an interest as Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture in the reports of the Head of Development Management relating to applications MA/10/1271 and MA/10/1291.  He stated that he had pre-determined the applications and would leave the room when they were discussed.

Councillor Ash also stated that with regard to the report of the Head of Development Management relating to application MA/10/0140, he had not been present when the application was considered by the Committee in June 2010 and had an open mind.

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

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 2 September 2010 be approved as a correct record and signed.

There were no petitions.

(1)  MA/08/1766 - RETROSPECTIVE APPLICATION FOR THE CHANGE OF USE TO CARAVAN SITE TO PROVIDE GYPSY ACCOMMODATION WITH 4 PLOTS, INCLUDING 4 MOBILE HOMES AND 6 TOURING CARAVANS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS (INCLUDING HARDSTANDING, FENCING, UTILITY BUILDINGS AND CESSPOOL) AND KEEPING OF HORSES - FIELD KNOWN AS WHEATGRATTEN, LENHAM FORSTAL ROAD, LENHAM

  See Minute 153 below

(2)  MA/09/2043 - ERECTION OF A REPLACEMENT DWELLING WITH DOUBLE GARAGE AND CREATION OF A NEW DRIVEWAY (RE-SUBMISSION OF MA/09/1298) - STUBBLE HILL COTTAGE, SANDWAY ROAD, HARRIETSHAM, MAIDSTONE

  The Head of Development Management advised Members that the Officers had met with the applicant on site and negotiated some enhancements to the scheme.  He hoped that full details of the appropriate landscaping and ecological enhancement measures would be submitted in the near future to enable an early report back to the Committee. 

(3)  MA/10/1233 – OUTLINE APPLICATION FOR THE ERECTION OF A STORAGE WAREHOUSE WITH ANCILLARY OFFICE (USE CLASS B1/B8) WITH ALL MATTERS RESERVED FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION – 13 TONBRIDGE ROAD, MAIDSTONE

  The Head of Development Management advised Members that this application had been withdrawn by the applicant.

(4)  MA/10/0649 - PLANNING APPLICATION FOR THE ERECTION OF 3-4 STOREY DEVELOPMENT TO INCLUDE 11 NO. DWELLINGS (3 STUDIO FLATS, 3 X 1-BED FLATS AND 5 X 3-BED TERRACED DWELLINGS) AND ASSOCIATED WORKS INCLUDING ACCESS AND PARKING - THE ROSE, 1 FARLEIGH HILL, TOVIL, MAIDSTONE

  The Head of Development Management advised Members that the applicant had amended the scheme and reduced the number of units.  He hoped to be in a position to report the application back to the next meeting of the Committee.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Change, Planning and the Environment concerning Tree Preservation Order No. 4 of 2010 which was made under Section 201 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to protect one Sycamore and two Sweet Chestnut trees on land at the rear of 11-15 Northleigh Close, Loose.  It was noted that one objection to the Order had been received within the statutory 28 day period from its making.

RESOLVED:  That Tree Preservation Order No. 4 of 2010 be confirmed without modification.

Voting:  10 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

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

RESOLVED:  That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Voting:  10 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Development Management.

Councillor Thomas of Headcorn Parish Council (against) addressed the meeting.

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

No commercial activities shall take place on the land, including the storage of materials.

Reason:  To ensure a satisfactory appearance to the development and prevent an inappropriate use in the countryside in accordance with policy ENV28 of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000.

Voting:  7 – For  1 – Against  3 – Abstentions

Note:  Councillor Nelson-Gracie entered the meeting during consideration of this application, but did not participate in the voting.

Having disclosed an interest, Councillor Ash left the meeting whilst this application was discussed.

All Members except the Chairman and Councillors Mrs Smith and J A Wilson stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Mr Taylor, for the applicant, addressed the meeting on this application and application MA/10/1291.

RESOLVED:  That permission be granted subject to the conditions and informative set out in the report and the additional conditions set out in the urgent update report.

Voting:  10 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

Having disclosed an interest, Councillor Ash left the meeting when this application was discussed.

All Members except the Chairman and Councillors Mrs Smith and J A Wilson stated that they had been lobbied.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Development Management.

Mr Taylor, for the applicant, had already addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That subject to it being checked that there are no records held at the Centre for Kentish Studies relating to the design of the original doors and regard being had to that design if records are found, the Head of Development Management be given delegated powers to refer the application to the Secretary of State with a recommendation that listed building consent be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Voting:  10 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

All Members stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Ms Duncan, an objector, Councillor Waite of Thurnham Parish Council (against), Mr Blythin, for the applicant, and Councillor Mrs Parvin, on behalf of Councillor Horne, addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That permission be granted subject to the S106 unilateral undertaking which has been completed to secure workplace training and to the conditions and informatives set out in the report, as amended by the urgent update report, and the additional condition set out in the urgent update report.

Voting:   8 – For  1 – Against  2 – Abstentions

The Chairman and Councillors English, Mrs Smith and Mrs Wilson stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Ms George, an objector, Mrs Bradley, the applicant, and Councillor Sherreard addressed the meeting.

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

Notwithstanding the details submitted in section 14 of the application form received on 10 May 2010, the roof covering of the extension hereby permitted shall be constructed of lead and shall be maintained thereafter to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority.

Reason:  To preserve the setting, character and appearance of the Grade II listed building and the Conservation Area, in accordance with PPS5.

Voting:  6 – For  3 – Against  2 – Abstentions

The Chairman and Councillors English, Mrs Smith and Mrs Wilson stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Ms George, an objector, Mrs Bradley, the applicant, and Councillor Sherreard had already addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That consideration of this application be deferred to enable the Conservation Officer to submit detailed comments in writing and to be present when the application is discussed.

Voting:  11 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

The Chairman and Councillors Nelson-Gracie and Mrs Wilson stated that they had been lobbied.

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

RESOLVED:  That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Voting:  9 – For  1 – Against  0 – Abstentions

Note:  Councillor English was not present during consideration of this application.

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

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

The Chairman announced that:-

·  He had attended the Planning Summer School together with Councillors Ash and Mrs Wilson.  The sessions had been very interesting and feedback would be prepared.

·  A Members’ training session on sustainable construction would be held at 6.30 p.m. on Wednesday 6 October 2010.  The training sessions to date had been excellent.

Arising from the Chairman’s announcements, the Head of Development Management advised the Committee that Natural England intended to cease providing ecological advice on planning applications.  This would have implications for Members in terms of training.

The representative of the Head of Democratic Services advised the Committee that the Cabinet Member for Regeneration had discussed its reference relating to the development of a policy on local needs gypsy sites with Officers and hoped to be in a position to report back to the next meeting.  The Cabinet Member would also be writing to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government requesting the Government to reconsider the facility for retrospective planning applications.  It was suggested that the Cabinet Member should seek the support of the local Members of Parliament and the Local Government Association when making these representations.

6.00 p.m. to 8.10 p.m.