Agenda item

The Mayor and the Chief Executive drew the Council’s attention to the following documents received by or arising from the previous night’s Cabinet meeting on the topic of the Local Plan Review:

Local Plan Review Adoption – Briefing Note

Kent County Council’s Response to Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review 2021-2038 Adoption – 19 March 2024

Briefing Note on Kent County Council’s Response

Comments Made by the Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development Policy Advisory Committee on the Local Plan Review

Appendix 1 - Housing Trajectory – Clearer Version

Officer Advice on Delay/Deferral of a Decision

The Mayor also drew the Council’s attention to (a) Kent County Council’s response received very late that afternoon to the Cabinet’s decision the previous night to recommend to the Council that the Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review 2021-2038 be adopted and (b) a briefing note on the response.

The following Members of the public addressed the Council:

Mr Steve Heeley – Save Our Heath Lands

Mr Ray Dines

The following Parish Council representatives addressed the Council:

Councillor John Britt – Lenham Parish Council

Councillor Andrew Lawrence – Bredhurst Parish Council

Councillor Geraldine Brown – Yalding Parish Council

Councillor Holmes entered the meeting during the statements by Parish Council representatives (7.08 p.m.).  He stated that he had no disclosures of interest or of lobbying.

It was moved by Councillor Cooper, seconded by Councillor Burton, that the recommendations of the Cabinet relating to adoption of the Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review 2021-2038 be approved.

Amendment moved by Councillor Jeffery, seconded by Councillor J Sams:

1.  That the decision to adopt the Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review (2021-2038) at Appendix D to the report of Cabinet held on the 19 March 2024, which incorporates the Inspector’s Main Modifications, and the Policies Map at Appendix E to the report of Cabinet held on the 19 March 2024, be deferred to an Extraordinary Council meeting to be held between 2 and 4 weeks after the AGM in May to allow a new elected Council to make that decision.

2.  That the Head of Spatial Planning & Economic Development be given delegated authority to make any non-material, typographical corrections, and formatting changes, as required prior to and post any decision that may be taken by the Council.

When put to the vote, the amendment was lost.

Voting:  11 – For  32 – Against  9 – Abstentions

Amendment moved by Councillor English, seconded by Councillor Harwood:

That the first recommendation be amended to read:

That the decision to adopt the Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review (2021-2038) at Appendix D to the report of Cabinet held on the 19 March 2024, which incorporates the Inspector’s Main Modifications, and the Policies Map at Appendix E to the report of Cabinet held on the 19 March 2024, be deferred until 18 April 2024 to consider the issues raised in Kent County Council’s letter dated 20 March 2024, discuss those issues with them and put in train the resolutions required to ensure the Plan is sound.

When put to the vote, the amendment was lost.

Voting:  20 – For  32 – Against  0 – Abstentions

The original motion was then put to the vote.  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 18.4, five Members requested that a named vote be taken on the motion.  The voting was as follows:

FOR (31)

Councillors Bartlett, Mrs Blackmore, Burton, Cannon, Coates, Cooke, Cooper, Cox, Forecast, Fort, Garten, Mrs Gooch, Mrs Grigg, Harper, Hastie, Holmes, Mrs Joy, Knatchbull, McKenna, Munford, Newton, Parfitt-Reid, Perry, Reid, Riordan, Round, Russell, Spooner, Springett, Trzebinski and Webb

AGAINST (21)

Councillors Clark, Cleator, Conyard, Eagle, English, Harwood, Hinder, Jeffery, Jones, Kimmance, Mortimer, Naghi, Mrs Robertson, Rose, J Sams, T Sams, M Thompson, S Thompson, Wilby, D Wilkinson and J Wilkinson

ABSTENTIONS (0)

MOTION CARRIED

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review (2021-2038) at Appendix D to the report of Cabinet held on the 19 March 2024, which incorporates the Inspector’s Main Modifications, and the Policies Map at Appendix E to the report of Cabinet held on the 19 March 2024, be adopted.

2.  That the Head of Spatial Planning and Economic Development be given delegated authority to make any non-material, typographical corrections, and formatting changes, as required.