Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Marchant.

The following substitution was noted:-

Councillor Mrs Marshall for Councillor Marchant

Councillors Paine and Schnell indicated their wish to speak on Agenda Item 8.

There were no disclosures.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

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

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2008 be approved as a correct record and signed.

The Group considered the reference from Council regarding the Medway Valley Petition.

Mrs Fran Smith presented the petition calling upon the Council to introduce, as a matter of urgency, effective planning policies to protect the skyline of the Medway Valley, retain the natural setting of the River Medway between Tovil footbridge and East Farleigh bridge and stop any further building between the River and Glebe Lane/Gatland Lane and Upper Fant Road.

The Group were informed that there are a number of effective policy protections in this area, including landscape quality, design and part of this area is located in a flood plain.  Also, this particular part of the Medway Valley will be included in the landscape character assessment work that is currently on-going. 

Members expressed support for the petition and it was suggested that this could be extended to include protection for all water courses.  Members were informed that rivers, water courses and green spaces in the Borough are issues that are properly addressed in the Core Strategy.

RESOLVED:

i)  That the petition be noted.

ii)  That, as part of the work which will follow on from the Landscape Character Area Assessments through the Local Development Framework, the green landscape issue of the Medway Valley area be addressed at that time.

iii)  That the protection and enhancement of rivers and water courses in the Borough be addressed in the Core Strategy.

iv)  That officers look into the possibility of a Skyline Protection Policy along the River Medway.

The Group considered the Report of the Assistant Director of Development and Community Strategy requesting endorsement of the Kent Design Guide (attached as Appendix A).

Members felt it appropriate to endorse this document at this time and supported the recommendations made by officers.

RESOLVED:  That the Cabinet Member for Regeneration be recommended to endorse the Kent Design Guide as Supplementary Guidance to the Local Development Framework.

The Group considered the Report of the Assistant Director of Development and Community Strategy regarding adoption of the Residential Extensions Supplementary Planning Document (attached as Appendix B).

It was noted that the public consultation on this document had been very successful with a large number of responses having been received and a number of changes made to the document in the light of these responses.

Members fully supported the recommendations made.

RESOLVED:  That the Cabinet Member for Regeneration be recommended to approve the Residential Extensions Supplementary Planning Document for adoption as part of Maidstone’s Local Development Framework.

7.00 pm to 8.40 pm