Agenda item

1.  That the broad locations be approved for incorporation into the Regulation 19 version of the Maidstone Borough Local Plan with indicative dwelling figures as follows:

·  Maidstone Town Centre – 700 dwellings

·  Invicta Park Barracks – 1300 dwellings

·  Lenham – 1500 dwellings

2.  That the amendments to policies H3, H3(2) and H3(3) set out in section 4 of the report dated 18 August 2015 be approved for incorporation into the Regulation 19 version of the Maidstone Borough Local Plan.

3.  That the master planning in relation to Invicta Park Barracks should commence immediately; and, the master planning in relation to Lenham should commence immediately after the results of the additional work on the Landscapes of Local Value (from 18 August 2015) are available with Ward and Parish Councillors involved as full partners in the master planning process.

4.  That the wording in point 6 of policy H3(3) Lenham ‘Provision of publicly accessible open place, including natural and semi natural open space, as proven necessary, and/or contributions’ be added to policy H3(2) Invicta Park Barracks.

The Committee was informed that the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) indicated the Council was required to demonstrate that it had a supply of deliverable sites for a five year period.  Policy H3 related to Future Locations for Housing Growth, also known as Broad Locations for growth, for years 6-10 and 11-15 of the plan period.  Three locations had been identified in the policy which went out to public consultation Regulation 18 in March 2014:

·  Maidstone Town Centre – 700 dwellings

·  Invicta Park Barracks – 1300 dwellings

·  Lenham – 1500 dwellings

The report assessed the responses made following the consultation and the Committee was asked to consider whether any changes to the policy should be made.  The Committee was informed that Officers wished to proceed with master planning, in consultation with Parish Councils and other stakeholders. 

The Committee was reminded the indicative number of dwellings for Maidstone Town Centre was increased from 600 to 700 at their meeting of 14 July adjourned to 23 July 2015.

It was confirmed by Officers that the dwelling numbers for the Town Centre should not be over-loaded, however a figure of 700 dwellings would be defensible at inspection.

The Committee was informed Officers were notified by developers when offices were to be converted to residential use through the permitted right to develop, and the numbers had been included in the supply figures for the Local Plan.  The Committee was advised increasing the number of dwellings for the Town Centre would need to be justified and increasing the figure further could put the Local Plan timetable back as a result.

Concern was raised regarding the allocation of public open space for both the Lenham sites and the Invicta Park Barrack site.  The Committee agreed that the sites in Lenham might be impacted upon by the changes to the Landscapes of Local Value and that it was important that the sensitivities of both the Lenham sites and the Invicta Park Barrack site be taken into account when master planning took place.  The Committee also agreed that during the master planning process, which should be undertaken immediately, both Ward and Parish Councillors be included as full partners.

The Committee was informed that there were no plans to close Maidstone Prison and there was no firm date for the closure of East Sutton Park prison, so neither site could be included as a Broad Location in the Local Plan.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the broad locations be approved for incorporation into the Regulation 19 version of the Maidstone Borough Local Plan with indicative dwelling figures as follows:

·  Maidstone Town Centre – 700 dwellings

·  Invicta Park Barracks – 1300 dwellings

·  Lenham – 1500 dwellings

Voting:  For:  9

2.  That the amendments to policies H3, H3(2) and H3(3) set out in section 4 of the report dated 18 August 2015 be approved for incorporation into the Regulation 19 version of the Maidstone Borough Local Plan.

Voting:  For:  9

3.  That the master planning in relation to Invicta Park Barracks should commence immediately; and, the master planning in relation to Lenham should commence immediately after the results of the additional work on the Landscapes of Local Value (from 18 August 2015) are available with Ward and Parish Councillors involved as full partners in the master planning process.

Voting:  For:  9

4.  That the wording in point 6 of policy H3(3) Lenham ‘Provision of publicly accessible open place, including natural and semi natural open space, as proven necessary, and/or contributions’ be added to policy H3(2) Invicta Park Barracks.

Voting:  For:  9