It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Round, Spooner and Mrs Stockell.

The following Substitute Members were noted:

Councillor Brice for Councillor Round

Councillor M Burton for Spooner

Councillor Perry for Councillor Mrs Stockell

Councillor Garten indicated his wish to speak on the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application 17/503401 (Catharos Lithos, Yelsted Road, Yelsted, Sittingbourne, Kent).

Councillor McLoughlin indicated his wish to speak on the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application 17/503291 (The Packhouse, Queen Street, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, Kent).

The Development Manager sought the agreement of the Committee to the withdrawal of the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application 16/508512 (Horseshoe Paddock, Chart Hill Road, Chart Sutton, Kent) from the agenda.  He explained that he had spoken to the applicant before the meeting and it would not be correct to determine the application on the basis of the information contained in the report.

RESOLVED:  That agreement be given to the withdrawal of the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application 16/508512 (Horseshoe Paddock, Chart Hill Road, Chart Sutton, Kent) from the agenda and that the Head of Planning and Development be given delegated powers to progress the application on the basis of the true facts.

RESOLVED:  That in the event of it not being possible to complete all of the items on the agenda, the meeting be adjourned until 6.00 p.m. on Thursday 4 January 2018.

The Chairman stated that, in his opinion, the update reports of the Head of Planning and Development should be taken as urgent items because they contained further information relating to the applications to be considered at the meeting.

With regard to the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application 17/505399 (The Stables, Street Farm, The Street, Boxley, Kent), Councillor Harwood stated that he was a Member of Boxley 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 B Mortimer disclosed a Pecuniary Interest in the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application 17/504314 (Land Rear of 161 Heath Road, Coxheath, Kent).  He explained that the proposed development would have a big impact on his property, and that he would leave the room when the application was discussed.

Councillor Munford said that he would leave the room when the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application 17/503401 (Catharos Lithos, Yelsted Road, Yelsted, Sittingbourne, Kent) was considered.  He explained that he would not be able to participate in the discussion with an open mind as he was opposed to the business plan.

Councillor Prendergast said that she had been present at the meeting of Ulcombe Parish Council when application 17/501477 (Land at Pye Corner, Ulcombe, Kent) was considered, but she had not taken part in the discussion.

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

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 2017 adjourned to 7 December 2017 be approved as a correct record and signed subject to the amendment of Minute 319 (Chairman’s Announcements) as follows:

On behalf of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman and the Development Manager updated the Committee on the introduction of planning performance agreements which was seen to be a positive move going forward.

There were no petitions.

16/506349 - VARIATION OF CONDITION APPLICATION IN RELATION TO INSTALLATION OF 6 NO. FLOODLIGHTING COLUMNS REF. MA/09/1616 (ALLOWED ON APPEAL) WITH AMENDMENT TO CONDITION 3) THE FLOODLIGHTING SHALL NOT BE USED BETWEEN 1ST MAY AND 31ST AUGUST IN ANY CALENDAR YEAR; AND CONDITION 4) THE FLOODLIGHTING SHALL NOT BE USED OUTSIDE THE HOURS OF 15:00-22:30 ON TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYS, 15:00-21:30 ON SATURDAYS AND NOT AT ALL ON ANY OTHER DAY OF THE WEEK - BEARSTED FOOTBALL CLUB, HONEY LANE, OTHAM, KENT

The Development Manager advised the Committee that he had asked the Principal Planning Officer to set a deadline for the receipt of the bat survey.  He would report the application back to Committee with a recommendation for refusal if this was not achieved.

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

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

Voting:  9 – For  2 – Against  0 – Abstentions

The Chairman (Councillor English) and Councillors M Burton, Cox, Munford, Perry, Powell and Prendergast stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Mr Pinhey, an objector, and Mr Walker, for the applicant, addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That subject to:

(a)  The prior completion of a legal agreement to provide for the Heads of Terms set out in the report, as amended by the urgent update report, with the amendment of Head of Terms no. 4 (Open Space) to secure a contribution of £74,025 and to give the flexibility to look at other sites within the immediate area, such as the Collis Millennium Green, subject to CIL compliance checks; AND

(b)  The conditions set out in the report and the additional condition set out in the urgent update report, with the amendment of conditions 8 (Materials), 11 (Landscaping) and 18 (Boundary Treatments) as follows:

  Condition 8 (Materials) (amended)

  Prior to the commencement of any works above damp proof course level, written details and samples of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of any buildings and surfacing of parking and turning areas and pathways shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  This shall include red stock brick, timber cladding, standing metal seam cladding, grey aluminium windows and doors, in addition to darker colour render such as sage green, grey or blue on elevations fronting Upper Stone Street. Once approved, the development shall be constructed using the approved materials.

The details and samples of the materials submitted shall include details of swift and sparrow bricks incorporated into the proposed building.

Reason:  To ensure a satisfactory appearance to the development.

  Condition 11 (Landscaping) (amended)

Prior to the commencement of any works above damp proof course level details of a scheme of landscaping using indigenous species which 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 and long term management, shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.  The details shall include a mixed species native hedgerow (interspersed with hedgerow trees) on the Upper Stone Street frontage.  The programme shall thereafter be implemented in accordance with the subsequently approved details. The landscape scheme shall be designed using the principles established in the Council's adopted Landscape Character Assessment and Landscape Guidelines.

Reason: In the interests of landscape, visual impact and amenity of the area and to ensure a satisfactory appearance to the development.

  Boundary Treatments (amended)

  The development hereby approved shall not commence above slab level until details of all fencing, walling and other boundary treatments have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  Such details shall include ragstone walling to the eastern frontage area and shall include detail of bond, mortar mix and pointing detail.  The submitted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 333.

All Members except Councillor Perry stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Mrs Barham, an objector, and Mr Walker, for the applicant, addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That subject to:

(a)  The prior completion of a legal agreement to provide for the Heads of Terms set out in the report; AND

(b)  The conditions set out in the report with the amendment of condition 21 (Vehicle Parking/Turning and Cycle Parking Areas) to include reference to the provision of a disabled parking bay as follows:

The approved details of the vehicle parking/turning and cycle parking areas associated with the residential development (including the provision of one disabled parking bay) shall be completed before the commencement of the use of the land or buildings to which they relate and shall thereafter be kept available for such use.  No development, whether permitted by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (or any Order revoking and re-enacting that Order, with or without modification) or not, shall be carried out on the areas indicated or in such a position as to preclude vehicular access to them.

Reason:  Development without adequate parking/turning provision is likely to lead to parking inconvenient to other road users and in the interests of road safety and sustainability.

the Head of Planning and Development be given delegated powers to grant permission and to be able to settle or amend any necessary Heads of Terms and conditions in line with the matters set out in the recommendation and as resolved by the Planning Committee.

Voting:  8 – For  4 – Against  1 - Abstention

FURTHER RESOLVED:

1.  That a Tree Preservation Order be served to protect the new trees when they have been planted at the site.

Voting:  13 - For  0 - Against  0 - Abstentions

2.  That the Parking Services Section be asked to exclude this development from the N4 residents’ parking zone area and to allow residents with N4 zone residents’ parking permits to park in Maidstone Borough Council car parks after 5.00 p.m. rather than 6.30 p.m.

Voting:  6 – For  0 – Against  6 – Abstentions

The Chairman left the meeting after consideration of this application (8.20 p.m.).

In the absence of the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman, the Committee:

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Cox be elected as Chairman for the remainder of the meeting.

All Members except Councillors Brice and B Mortimer stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Mr Linstead, an objector, Councillor Lovegrove of Ulcombe Parish Council and Mr Gilham, for the applicant, addressed the meeting.

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

Voting:  5 – For  5 – Against  2 – Abstentions

The Chairman used his casting vote in favour of approval.

Councillors Brice and Boughton stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Mrs Ayling, an objector, Councillor Robbins of Yalding Parish Council and Councillor McLoughlin (Visiting Member) addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That consideration of this application be deferred to:

·  Check whether the correct certificates were served;

·  Seek the views of Kent Highway Services on the implications of the potential use of HGVs to serve the site taking into account possible business growth;

·  Investigate the potential for traffic calming measures on the shared access;

·  Seek details of the proposed landscaping scheme including what it would comprise and where it would be planted;

·  Enable the Officers to draft suggested conditions to prevent the amalgamation of the units into one enterprise and to link the hours of illumination to the hours of opening of the premises;

·  Discuss with the applicant the possibility of limiting the hours of operation on Saturdays;

·  Enable a representative of Kent Highway Services to be in attendance when the application is discussed.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

Prior to 10.30 p.m., during consideration of the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application17/503291 (The Pack House, Queen Street, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, Kent), the Chairman announced that in view of the limited time available the reports of the Head of Planning and Development relating to the following applications would be rolled over to the adjourned meeting of the Committee scheduled to be held on 4 January 2018:

17/502714 - Caravan 2, Hawthorn Farm, Pye Corner, Ulcombe, Kent

17/503401 - Catharos Lithos, Yelsted Road, Yelsted, Sittingbourne, Kent

17/504314 - Land Rear Of 161 Heath Road, Coxheath, Kent

The Committee:

RESOLVED:That the meeting should continue until 11.00 p.m. if necessary.

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

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

Voting:  10 – For  0 – Against  2 – Abstentions

Councillor Brice stated that she had been lobbied.

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

Councillor Hinder of Boxley Parish Council addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report with additional conditions to secure (a) a landscaping scheme, including the provision of a tree (perhaps an evergreen such as Holly) to break up the mass and (b) biodiversity enhancements through integrated methods into the design and appearance of the building by means such as a bat tube/bricks; the Head of Planning and Development be given delegated powers to finalise the wording.

Voting:  8 – For  4 – Against  0 - Abstentions

Following consideration of the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application 17/505399 (The Stables, Street Farm, The Street, Boxley, Kent), the Committee:

RESOLVED:That the meeting be adjourned until 6.00 p.m. on 4 January 2018 when the remaining items on the agenda will be discussed.

6.00 p.m. to 10.35 p.m.