MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Planning Committee
Minutes of the meeting held on 1 November 2012
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Present: |
Councillor Lusty (Chairman) and Councillors Ash, Chittenden, Cox, English, Harwood, Hogg, Newton, Paine, Mrs Robertson and Ross |
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Also Present: |
Councillors Mrs Grigg and Sams |
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164. Apologies for Absence
It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Collins, Garland, Paterson and J A Wilson.
165. Notification of Substitute Members
The following Substitute Members were noted:-
Councillor Chittenden for Councillor Paterson
Councillor Ross for Councillor Collins
166. Notification of Visiting Members
Councillor Mrs Grigg indicated her wish to speak on the report of the Head of Planning relating to application MA/11/2169.
Councillor Sams indicated his wish to speak on the report of the Head of Planning relating to application MA/12/0013.
167. Urgent Items
Update Report
The Chairman stated that, in his opinion, the update report of the Head of Planning should be taken as an urgent item as it contained further information relating to matters to be considered at the meeting.
168. Items withdrawn from the Agenda
MA/11/2169 - ERECTION OF FOURTEEN DWELLINGS WITH LANDSCAPING AND CAR PARKING AND REFURBISHMENT OF EXISTING TWO STOREY BLOCK 'AMIES HOUSE' INCLUDING NEW CLADDING AND ENTRANCE PORCH - GEORGE MARSHAM HOUSE, HOLMESDALE CLOSE, LOOSE, MAIDSTONE
The Committee considered the urgent update report of the Head of Planning recommending that this application be withdrawn from the agenda to enable further discussions to take place with the applicant regarding the Heads of Terms of the proposed Section 106 legal agreement. It was noted that the applicant no longer wished to proceed on the basis of the designation of the dwellings as 100% affordable housing.
RESOLVED: That agreement be given to the withdrawal of application MA/11/2169 from the agenda to enable further discussions to take place with the applicant regarding the Heads of Terms of the proposed Section 106 legal agreement.
169. Disclosures by Members and Officers
Councillor Ash stated that he was a Member of Bearsted Parish Council, but he had not participated in the Parish Council’s discussions regarding application MA/12/0127 and intended to speak and vote when it was considered.
Councillor Harwood stated that he was a Member of Boxley Parish Council, but he had not participated in the Parish Council’s discussions regarding application MA/11/0791 and intended to speak and vote when it was considered.
170. Exempt Items
RESOLVED: That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.
171. Minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2012
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2012 be approved as a correct record and signed.
172. Presentation of Petitions
There were no petitions.
173. Deferred Items
MA/12/0324 - RETROSPECTIVE APPLICATION FOR HARD LANDSCAPING WORKS TO REAR GARDEN (RE-SUBMISSION OF MA/11/1872) - RHENCULLEN, BRIDGE STREET, LOOSE, MAIDSTONE
The representative of the Head of Planning advised the Committee that amended plans had been received and would be circulated to Councillors Collins, English and Harwood for comment.
174. MA/12/1644 - INSTALLATION OF A NEW PLAY AREA - COBTREE PARK, FORSTAL ROAD, AYLESFORD
All Members stated that they had been lobbied.
The Committee considered the report and the urgent update report of the Head of Planning.
Mr Taylor addressed the meeting on behalf of the applicant.
RESOLVED: That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report.
Voting: 11 – For 0 – Against 0 – Abstentions
175. MA/12/0013 - CONSTRUCTION OF 5MW PHOTOVOLTAIC PARK INCLUDING ATTENDANT INFRASTRUCTURE AND ASSOCIATED WORKS - LAND AT EAST LENHAM FARM, LENHAM HEATH ROAD, LENHAM, MAIDSTONE
All Members stated that they had been lobbied.
The Committee considered the report and the urgent update report of the Head of Planning.
Mr Booker, for objectors, Mr Arcache, for the applicant, and Councillor Sams addressed the meeting.
During the discussion on this application, it was suggested that consideration should be given to the development of policies to mitigate the potentially negative impact of solar panels and polarised light on the landscape and wildlife.
RESOLVED: That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report.
Voting: 11 – For 0 – Against 0 – Abstentions
176. MA/12/0428 - ERECTION OF FENCING AND GATE ON WEST BOUNDARY OF CARING PADDOCK - LAND SOUTH WEST OF CARING ROAD, LEEDS, MAIDSTONE
All Members except Councillors Ash, Hogg and Ross stated that they had been lobbied.
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning.
Mr Leonard, for objectors, Councillor Middleton of Otham Parish Council (against) and Mr Desmond, the applicant, addressed the meeting.
RESOLVED: That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report and the following informative:-
The applicant is advised to use the appropriate stock proof fencing in accordance with the type of livestock grazing in the adjoining fields.
Voting: 8 – For 3 – Against 0 – Abstentions
177. MA/12/0127 - ERECTION OF END OF TERRACE DWELLING - 17 LAMBOURNE ROAD, BEARSTED, MAIDSTONE
The Committee considered the report and the urgent update report of the Head of Planning.
Miss Hill, for objectors, Mr Fowler, for the applicant, and Councillor Spooner of Bearsted Parish Council (against) addressed the meeting.
Contrary to the recommendation of the Head of Planning, the Committee agreed to refuse permission. In making this decision, Members felt that the proposed dwelling, by way of its scale, siting and proportions in relation to the application site, would result in a cramped form of development which would be out of keeping with the grain of the surrounding pattern of development and the terrace which it would adjoin, and result in the erosion of open space and the provision of limited private amenity space; and for these reasons would be harmful to the character and appearance of the area.
RESOLVED: That permission be refused for the following reason:-
The proposed dwelling, by way of its scale, siting and proportions in relation to the application site, would result in a cramped form of development which would be out of keeping with the grain of the surrounding pattern of development and the terrace which it would adjoin, and result in the erosion of open space and the provision of limited private amenity space; and for these reasons would be harmful to the character and appearance of the area contrary to policies CC1, CC6 and BE1 of the South East Plan and central government planning policy as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework 2012.
Voting: 10 – For 1 – Against 0 – Abstentions
178. MA/11/0791 - ERECTION OF 2.4M HIGH GREEN WELD MESH FENCING TO SITE BOUNDARY AND AROUND TENNIS COURT AND ERECTION OF FRONT ENTRANCE GATES AND WALLS - THE OAKS, WESTFIELD SOLE ROAD, BOXLEY, MAIDSTONE
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning.
Councillor Hinder of Boxley Parish Council (against) addressed the meeting.
RESOLVED: That permission be granted subject to the condition set out in the report amended as follows:-
Within one month of the date of this permission, additional planting shall be carried out within the raised beds at the front of the walls hereby permitted. This shall consist of 8 Hedera helix (common ivy) plants, evenly-spaced in front of each wall, (16 plants in total). Each plant shall be a minimum of 3 litre pot size on planting. Any of these plants, or the Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn) already planted and shown on drawing number BLC/THEOAKS/20A received on 27/01/12, which within a period of ten years from the date of this permission die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of similar size and species, unless the local Planning Authority gives written consent to any variation.
Reason: To ensure a satisfactory setting and external appearance to the development, which is in close proximity to the Cowbeck Woods Ancient Woodland and lies within the Capstone, Darland and Lidsing Area of Local Landscape Importance, in accordance with policies ENV6, ENV28 and ENV35 of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000, policy C4 of the South East Plan RSS 2009 and the Maidstone Borough Council Landscape Character Assessment and Landscape Guidelines.
Voting: 10 – For 0 – Against 0 – Abstentions
Note: Councillor English was not present during consideration of this application.
179. MA/11/0806 - REMOVAL OF CONDITION 1 OF MA/03/2258 CO4 AND VARIATION OF CONDITIONS 8 AND 9 OF MA/03/2258 TO ALLOW VARIED LANDSCAPING SCHEME ON SITE - LAND AT ANDROMEDA, HEATH ROAD, COXHEATH
The Chairman stated that he had been lobbied.
The Committee considered the report and the urgent update report of the Head of Planning.
RESOLVED: That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report as amended by the urgent update report.
Voting: 10 – For 0 – Against 0 – Abstentions
Note: Councillor Hogg was not present during consideration of this application.
180. MA/12/0751 - CHANGE OF USE OF LAND FROM AGRICULTURE TO RESIDENTIAL GARDEN (RE-SUBMISSION OF MA/11/0842) - 21 ROUNDEL WAY, MARDEN, TONBRIDGE
The Committee considered the report and the urgent update report of the Head of Planning.
RESOLVED: That permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report, as amended by the urgent update report, and the additional informative set out in the urgent update report.
Voting: 7 – For 2 – Against 1 – Abstention
Note: Councillor Hogg was not present during consideration of this application.
181. MA/11/2169 - ERECTION OF FOURTEEN DWELLINGS WITH LANDSCAPING AND CAR PARKING AND REFURBISHMENT OF EXISTING TWO STOREY BLOCK 'AMIES HOUSE' INCLUDING NEW CLADDING AND ENTRANCE PORCH - GEORGE MARSHAM HOUSE, HOLMESDALE CLOSE, LOOSE, MAIDSTONE
See Minute 168 above.
182. Appeal Decisions
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning setting out details of appeal decisions received since the last meeting.
RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
Note: Councillor Hogg was not present during consideration of this report.
183. Chairman's Announcements
The Chairman reminded the Committee that a training session on Gypsy and Traveller Awareness had been arranged to take place at 6.00 p.m. on Monday 5 November 2012 at the Town Hall. He hoped that as many Members as possible would be able to attend.
184. Duration of Meeting
6.00 p.m. to 8.25 p.m.