Agenda item

Issue for Decision

To consider the Infrastructure Delivery Plan for submission to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government as supporting evidence for the Maidstone borough Local Plan and to consider giving delegated authority to the head of Planning and Development to update the Infrastructure Delivery Plan prior to submission, recognising that it is a ‘living document’.

Decision Made

That the Infrastructure Delivery Plan be approved for submission to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government as supporting evidence to the Maidstone Borough Local Plan with ‘risk to delivery’ for item reference GB25, Provision of Open Space, amended to ‘moderate’.

That delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning and Development to update the Infrastructure Delivery Plan prior to submission, recognising it is a ‘living document’ and reporting back to this Committee at the earliest opportunity on the changes made.

The Principal Planning Officer introduced his report on the Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) for the Committee to consider its submission to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government as supporting evidence for the Maidstone Borough Local Plan. The Committee were also asked to consider giving delegated authority to the Head of Planning and Development to update the Infrastructure Delivery Plan prior to submission, recognising that it was a ‘living document’.

The Committee approved the updated version of the IDP to be published as supporting evidence to the Local Plan at their meeting of 13 January 2016.  The IDP had been further updated and the Committee were reminded that the IDP was a key evidence base document and infrastructure planning tool which would support the examination and implementation of the Local Plan.

Councillor Perry and Councillor Brice addressed the Committee as visiting Members.

The Head of Planning and Development confirmed that work was being carried out to try and find a solution to improve the key junction of the A229, Headcorn Road, Station Road and Marden Road which would need to pass the Stage 1 and 2 Safety Audit.  However, solutions were constrained to the highway due to land ownership.  It was confirmed that officers were pursuing discussions with Kent County Council (KCC), as the highways authority, the use of compulsory purchasing of land to facilitate junction improvements in the Local Plan.

It was confirmed that Southern Water had maintained their position throughout the Local Plan process, that provided current situations were not exacerbated and mitigation was put in place, as a minimum, through the planning process, they would not object to new developments.

Highways concerns raised regarding highway improvements in Headcorn were noted.

Concern was raised regarding the ‘risk to delivery’ of the Provision of Open Space (GB25 page 146 of the agenda) showing as ‘high’ and how this may be perceived by the Inspector.  It was agreed this would be changed to ‘moderate’.

Concern was also raised regarding the sources of income for infrastructure delivery just showing as Section 106 or the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).  There was no mention of other sources of income such as New Homes Bonus, Local Enterprise Partnership funding etc.  The Committee were informed that more information on the CIL would come back to Committee at a later date.  It was requested that the Committee be fully involved with the changes made to the IDP.

It was noted that a future amendment would include further provision of waste disposal facilities in liaison with Kent County Council.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Infrastructure Delivery Plan be approved for submission to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government as supporting evidence to the Maidstone Borough Local Plan with ‘risk to delivery’ for item reference GB25, Provision of Open Space, amended to ‘moderate’.

2.  That delegated authority be given to the Head of Planning and Development to update the Infrastructure Delivery Plan prior to submission, recognising it is a ‘living document’ and reporting back to this Committee at the earliest opportunity on the changes made.

Voting:  For – 9  Against – 0  Abstentions – 0