The Chairman said that this was the last meeting of the Planning Committee that Civic Officer Tim Goodwin would be in attendance as he was leaving the employment of the Council the next day.  On behalf of the Committee, he would like to thank him for his assistance over the years and to wish him every success in the future.

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Garland, Hogg, Paterson and J A Wilson.

The following Substitute Members were noted:-

Councillor Black for Councillor Hogg

Councillor Butler for Councillor J A Wilson

Councillor Chittenden for Councillor Paterson

There were no Visiting Members.

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 as it contained further information relating to matters to be considered at the meeting.

Section 106 Consultation

The Chairman stated that, in his opinion, the Government’s proposals to allow earlier renegotiation of Section 106 obligations agreed prior to April 2010 should be discussed as an urgent item as the closing date for responses to the consultation being conducted by the Department for Communities and Local Government was 8 October 2012.

Councillor Ash stated that he was a Member of Bearsted Parish Council, but he had not participated in the Parish Council’s discussions regarding application MA/12/1318 and intended to speak and vote when it was considered.

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

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 August 2012 be approved as a correct record and signed.

There were no petitions.

MA/12/0324 - RETROSPECTIVE APPLICATION FOR HARD LANDSCAPING WORKS TO REAR GARDEN (RE-SUBMISSION OF MA/11/1872) - RHENCULLEN, BRIDGE STREET, LOOSE, MAIDSTONE

The representative of the Head of Planning advised the Committee that the Case Officer was in contact with the applicant and agent to arrange a meeting on site.  Following that meeting, a further meeting would be arranged to discuss the proposed amendments with Councillors English, Collins and Harwood.

All Members stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Mr Butterfill, an objector, and Mr Harvey, for the applicant, addressed the meeting.

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

Voting:  10 – For  0 – Against  1 – Abstention

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning.

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

Voting:  11 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning.

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

Voting:  11 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning concerning Tree Preservation Order No.3 of 2012 which was made under Section 198 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to protect one mature Poplar tree growing at the end of the garden of 73 Grace Avenue, on the boundary with the garden of 132 Newbury Avenue.  It was noted that the tree was originally protected on the grounds that it was considered to be under threat due to potentially inappropriate works being carried out.  Two objections to the Order had been received, within the statutory 28 day period from its making, from the owner/occupiers of 132 and 134 Newbury Avenue.

The Team Leader, Heritage, Landscape and Design, advised the Committee that the tree made a valuable contribution to public amenity.  Whilst the tree was showing signs that it was moving into the over mature stage of its life cycle, ongoing protection by a Tree Preservation Order would secure a replacement tree when it became necessary for the tree to be removed.

RESOLVED:  That Tree Preservation Order No.3 of 2012 be confirmed without modification.

Voting:  11 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

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

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

The Chairman announced that:-

·  Councillors Collins, Cox and Paine had attended the Planning Summer School this year, and they were keen to share their experiences and learning with other Members.

·  The Head of Planning was looking at facilitating a workshop on design.  He would suggest that the issue of flat roofs be included.

It was noted that there was nothing to report at present.  Concern was expressed that the Committee had not received an update from Cabinet Members for some time.

A Member drew the Committee’s attention to the consultation exercise being undertaken by the Department for Communities and Local Government on the proposal to allow earlier renegotiation of Section 106 obligations agreed prior to April 2010 to make them more reflective of the current market and help unlock stalled development, whilst continuing to ensure through the use of obligations that development is acceptable to communities and local authorities in line with local plans.  It was noted that the closing date for responses was 8 October 2012.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor English be requested to prepare, in consultation with the Chairman and Political Group Spokespersons, a response to the consultation questions and to forward it on behalf of the Committee to the Department for Communities and Local Government.

6.00 p.m. to 6.55 p.m.