Agenda item

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

Mr Stevenson, for objectors, Mr Lander, for the applicant, and Councillor Newton (Visiting Member) addressed the meeting.

In response to a question by a Member, the representative of Kent Highway Services confirmed that the possible closure of Gore Court Road to prevent rat-running northwards in connection with this development was a matter that could be put to the Joint Transportation Board for consideration.

RESOLVED:  That subject to the prior completion of a S106 legal agreement in such terms as the Head of Legal Services may advise to secure the following:

The provision of a minimum of 30% affordable housing;

Contributions of £3,000 per dwelling for highway mitigation works to the A274 corridor to address the impacts of this development;

Contributions of £300 per residential unit for enhancements to the Willington Street junction;

A contribution of £132,372 towards improvements to health care provision within the locality;

Contributions for primary education of £14,285 per pupil (based on the formula set out in the report) - this is to be used to provide a new primary school on the Langley Park site with land of not less than 2.05ha in area.  The primary school should be provided prior to the completion of the (cumulative) 350^th dwelling of this site and the sites to the south and north of Sutton Road (MA/13/1149 and MA/13/1523);

Contributions towards the land acquisition costs for the primary school on the land at Langley Park;

Contributions for secondary education of £589.95 per flat and £2,359.80 per house – this would be for the expansion of existing secondary schools that the application site falls within the catchment area of;

Contributions of £128.44 per dwelling for additional book stock within local libraries;

Contributions towards community learning of £30.34 per dwelling to be spent within the Borough of Maidstone;

Contributions towards youth services of £8.39 per dwelling to be spent within the Borough of Maidstone;

Contributions towards adult social care of £97.26 per dwelling to be spent within the Borough of Maidstone;

A contribution of £132,990 for the enhancement of sports and recreation facilities within a 2 mile radius of the application site;

Contributions towards the provision of a community facility on the Langley Park site (MA/13/1149);

The provision of an equipped play area that straddles this application site and the Redrow application site (MA/13/1523); and

The provision of a pedestrian controlled crossing between the application site (preferably closest to the Redrow site) and the Langley Park site.  This crossing should be provided prior to the first occupation of the proposed school, or commercial area, whichever is delivered first.  The cost of this provision shall be split equitably between the applicants of this site and the applicants of MA/13/1523,

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.

Voting:  7 – For  0 – Against  5 – Abstentions