It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Adkinson, Bartlett, Parfitt-Reid and Perry.

It was noted that Councillor McKay was substituting for Councillor Adkinson.

Councillor McKay indicated that he would be recording the proceedings.

Councillors J and T Sams indicated their wish to speak on the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application 19/502469/FULL (Pilgrims Retreat, Hogbarn Lane, Harrietsham, Kent).

It was noted that Councillors J and T Sams lived next to the application site.  They did not believe that they had Other Significant Interests in the application, but, for transparency, they would speak on the application and then leave the meeting.

There were none.

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

Councillor Harwood said that, with regard to the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application 19/502829/FULL (Vinters Park Crematorium, Bearsted Road, Weavering, Kent), he was a Member of Boxley Parish Council.  However, he had not participated in the Parish Council’s discussions regarding the proposed improvements to the Crematorium and intended to speak and vote when the application was discussed.

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

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 August 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed.

There were no petitions.

19/500271/FULL - CHANGE OF USE OF LAND FOR THE STATIONING OF 20 HOLIDAY CARAVANS WITH ASSOCIATED WORKS INCLUDING LAYING OF HARDSTANDING AND BIN STORE - OAKHURST, STILEBRIDGE LANE, MARDEN, TONBRIDGE, KENT

The Development Manager said that additional information had been received which would be put out to consultation.  He hoped to be in a position to report the application back to the Committee in the near future.

19/500200/FULL – RETROSPECTIVE APPLICATION FOR A CHANGE OF USE OF LAND AS A GYPSY/TRAVELLER CARAVAN SITE CONSISTING OF ONE PITCH - LITTLE PADDOCKS, STILEBRIDGE LANE, LINTON, KENT

17/504568/FULL - DEMOLITION OF THE REMAINING FORMER LIBRARY BUILDING, ERECTION OF A SIX-TO-SIXTEEN STOREY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF 170 NO. APARTMENTS AND 85 NO. CAR PARKING SPACES AT THE FORMER KCC SPRINGFIELD LIBRARY SITE, SANDLING ROAD, MAIDSTONE - FORMER KCC SPRINGFIELD LIBRARY HQ, SANDLING ROAD, MAIDSTONE, KENT

The Development Manager said that he had nothing further to report in respect of these applications at present.

19/500667/SUB - Submission of details pursuant to Condition 8 (Surface Water Drainage Details), Condition 9 (Implementation of Sustainable Drainage), Condition 12 (Lighting Scheme) and Condition 22 (Footpath and PROW) for planning permission 17/502072/OUT (for 210 dwellings).

19/502295/SUB - Submission of details pursuant to Condition 3: Joinery Details (original application ref: 18/505417/REM - Reserved Matters for 210 dwellings).

19/504223/SUB - Submission of Details to Discharge Condition 6 (Lighting) (original application ref: 18/505417/REM - Reserved Matters for 210 dwellings).

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

Applications 19/500667/SUB and 19/502295/SUB

RESOLVED:  That the submitted details be approved with the respective informatives set out in the report as amended by the urgent update report.

Application 19/504223/SUB

RESOLVED:  That the submitted details be approved with the informatives set out in the report.

Voting:  10 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

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

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 Planning and Development.

RESOLVED:

1.  That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report and an additional condition requiring the incorporation of integrated niches for wildlife (at least one bat brick and one swift brick).

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:  10 – 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:  9 – For  1 – Against  0 – Abstentions

All Members except Councillors Harwood, McKay and Round stated that they had been lobbied.

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

In presenting the application the Development Manager advised the Committee that he wished to add a further policy ground (DM21) to recommended reason for refusal no.4 and a further policy ground (DM20) to recommended reason for refusal no.6.

Councillor Powell of Harrietsham Parish Council, Mr Cussen, for the applicant, and Councillors T and J Sams (Visiting Members) addressed the meeting.

Having made representations, Councillor T and J Sams left the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That permission be refused for the reasons set out in the report as amended by the Development Manager during his presentation on the application.

Voting:  7 - For  0 – Against  3 - Abstentions

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

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

Voting:  9 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

Note:  Since Councillor McKay was not present at the start of this item, he did not participate in the discussion or the voting.

Councillor Round stated that he had been lobbied.

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

RESOLVED:

1.  That permission be granted subject 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, with:

  (a)  The amendment of condition 8 (Landscaping) to specify that the landscaping scheme shall be designed in accordance with the principles of the Council’s landscape character guidance; and

  (b)  Additional informatives to give a clear indication of what the Committee is seeking to achieve in relation to materials (dark timber weatherboarding) and landscaping (better site enclosure and specimen trees such as English Oaks).

2.  That the Head of Planning and Development be given delegated powers to finalise the wording of amended condition 8 and the additional informatives and to amend any other conditions as a consequence.

Voting:  9 – For  0 – Against  1 – Abstention

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

In presenting the report, the Development Manager advised the Committee that he wished to amend the recommendation set out in the urgent update report to read:

That subject to the expiry of the 21 day notice period and no new planning issues being raised which have not previously been considered in the report, the Head of Planning and Development be given delegated powers to grant permission subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report as amended by the urgent update report.

Councillor Riordan of Staplehurst Parish Council and Mr Collins, for the applicant, addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:

1.  That subject to the expiry of the 21 day notice period and no new planning issues being raised which have not previously been considered in the report, the Head of Planning and Development be given delegated powers to grant permission subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report, as amended by the urgent update report, with:

  (a)  The amendment of condition 7 (Landscaping Renewal Period) to specify that any trees or plants within the approved landscape scheme, which, within a period of 10 (not 5) years from the completion of the development die, are removed, or become seriously damaged or diseased, shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species.  The reason for the longer period being to balance the intensification of use of the site by strengthening landscaping particularly adjacent to the access track where visibility from the public highway is greatest.

  (b)  An additional informative advising the applicant that the proposed hedgerows should incorporate specimen hedgerow trees which should be Wild Service.

2.  That the Head of Planning and Development be given delegated powers to finalise the wording of amended condition 7 and the additional informative and to amend any other conditions as a consequence.

Voting:  9 – For  0 – Against  1 – Abstention

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

RESOLVED:  That permission be granted subject to the condition and informative set out in the report with an additional condition requiring that the arisings from the crown lifting works be retained on site in the interests of wildlife.

Voting:  10 - For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

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

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

Voting:  10 – For  0 – Against  0 - Abstentions 

During the discussion on this application, the Chairman said that he would raise with the Vice-Chairman and Political Group Spokespersons of the Planning Committee the possibility of requiring the installation of bat boxes to compensate for the loss of habitat as a result of tree surgery works.

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

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

6.00 p.m. to 8.50 p.m.