There were no apologies for absence.

There were no Substitute Members.

Councillor Mrs Blackmore indicated her wish to speak on the report of the Head of Development Management relating to application MA/10/1088.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Lusty be elected as Chairman of the Committee for the Municipal Year 2011/12.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Paine be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the Municipal Year 2011/12.

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 matters to be considered at the meeting.

Councillor Collins disclosed a prejudicial interest in the report of the Head of Development Management relating to application MA/10/1088.  He stated that he had business connections with the applicants.

Councillor English disclosed a personal interest in the report of the Head of Development Management relating to application MA/10/0202.  He stated that he was a Member of Tovil Parish Council, but he had not participated in the Parish Council’s discussions on the application and intended to speak and vote when it was considered.

Councillor J A Wilson disclosed a prejudicial interest in the report of the Director of Change, Planning and the Environment relating to application TA/0036/11.  He stated that he was the applicant.

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

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 April 2011 be approved as a correct record and signed.

RESOLVED:  That the following Members be appointed as Spokespersons for their respective Political Groups for the Municipal Year 2011/12:-

Councillor Ash – Conservative Group

Councillor Harwood – Liberal Democrat Group

Councillor Newton – Independent Group

There were no petitions.

(1)  MA/10/0202 – PLANNING APPLICATION FOR ERECTION OF 14 DWELLINGS – SHARP HOUSE, TOVIL GREEN, TOVIL, MAIDSTONE

See Minute 16 below.

(2)  MA/10/2065 – DEMOLITION OF EXISTING BUILDING AND SHED AND ERECTION OF TWO NEW STORAGE BUILDINGS – HILLVIEW, OLD LIDSING ROAD, LIDSING, GILLINGHAM

  The Head of Development Management advised the Committee that negotiations were continuing in respect of this application.

(3)  MA/10/1878 – ERECTION OF 1 NO. BUNGALOW (PLOT 2) WITH DETACHED GARAGE, ACCESS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS (RE-SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION MA/10/1149) – LAND ADJACENT TO THE RETREAT, WARE STREET, WEAVERING, MAIDSTONE

  The Head of Development Management advised the Committee that

negotiations were continuing in respect of this application.

Having disclosed a prejudicial interest, Councillor J A Wilson left the meeting whilst this application was discussed.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Change, Planning and the Environment.

RESOLVED:  That no objection be raised to the proposed works.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

Having disclosed a prejudicial interest, Councillor Collins left the meeting whilst this application was discussed.

All Members stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Mrs Gadsby, for objectors, Councillor Ridd of Collier Street Parish Council (against) and Councillor Mrs Blackmore addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:

1.  That permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report with the amendment of condition 8 and additional conditions as follows:-

Condition 8 (amended)

No development shall take place until there has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority a scheme of hard and soft landscaping.  The soft landscaping shall include indications of all existing trees and hedgerows on the land, and details of any to be retained, together with measures for their protection in the course of development; it shall provide for replacement trees and strengthen landscaping along the boundaries of the site using indigenous species and a programme for the approved scheme's implementation and long term management.  The hard landscaping shall use permeable surfacing.  The scheme shall be designed using the principles established in the Council's adopted Landscape Character Assessment and Landscape Guidelines.

Reason:  No such details have been submitted and to ensure a satisfactory setting and external appearance to the development in accordance with policy ENV28 of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000 and to reduce potential flood risk within the area in accordance with PPS25.

Additional Conditions

The development shall not commence until details of the type, number and location of bat boxes to be installed at the site have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The approved details shall be implemented in full prior to the occupation of the extensions and shall thereafter be maintained.

Reason:  In the interest of biodiversity enhancement in accordance with PPS9.

The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:-

BFM-010, BFM-020, BFM-030 and BFM-040.

Reason:  To ensure the quality of the development is maintained and to prevent harm to the residential amenity of neighbouring occupiers and the surrounding area.  This in accordance with policy ENV28 of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000 and guidance contained in PPS7.

2.  That the details to be submitted pursuant to conditions 8 (hard and soft landscaping) and 12 (surface water drainage) are to be agreed in consultation with the Ward Members and the Parish Council.

Voting:  8 – For  3 – Against  1 – Abstention

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

RESOLVED:

1.  That subject to the prior completion of a legal agreement in such terms as the Head of Legal Services may advise to secure the following:-

·  A contribution of £11,142.50 for Maidstone Borough Council Parks and Leisure towards the provision or improvement of open and green spaces within a 2km radius of the site; and

·  A contribution of £11,142.50 towards the improvement of health care facilities within a 2.2km radius of the site.

the Head of Development Management be given delegated powers to grant permission subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report and the following additional informative:-

The applicant is advised to use ‘swift bricks’ in the eaves of the properties to provide biodiversity enhancements.

2.  That the details of hard and soft landscaping are to be agreed in consultation with the Ward Members, Parish Council and Councillor Harwood.

Voting:  13 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

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 a report would be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee setting out details of a training programme to meet Members’ requirements.

It was noted that there was nothing to report at present.

6.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.