MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

CABINET

9 MARCH 2015

REPORT OF THE Planning, Transport and Development Overview and scrutiny committee

Report prepared by Tessa Mallett 

1.           call-in of cabinet decisions dated 4 february 2015 – maidstone borough local plan – new and amended site allocations

1.1        Issue for Decision
 

1.1.1   To consider the recommendations of the Planning, Transport and Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee as a result of their special meeting held on 2 March 2015 to scrutinise the Call-In of Cabinet Member Decisions dated 4 February 2015.

1.2        Recommendations of Planning, Transport and Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee

1.2.1 That Cabinet consider the recommendations attached as Appendix A – Scrutiny Committee Recommendation Action and Implementation Plan (SCRAIP) Report.

1.3     Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1  After the Cabinet Decisions from their meeting on 4 February 2015 were published, the decisions were Called-In by three Borough Councillors.

1.3.2  The reasons given for the Call-In were stated as:

• Inconsistency in planning policy and highway terms in the treatment of similar sites;

• It appears that a differing priority has been applied to public responses from one site to another;

• The considered views of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the strategic importance of receptor sites which were accepted by the Planning Manager have not been taken into account.

1.3.3  The Desired Outcome stated on the Call-in form was that:

o   Cabinet rethink some of their decisions to ensure consistency across all proposed housing allocations and reverse their decision in relation to Tongs Meadow.

1.3.4  At the Special Planning, Transport and Development Overview and Scrutiny meeting on 2 March 2015, the Committee interviewed witnesses in relation to the Call-In and made recommendations as a result of their discussions.  These recommendations are attached as Appendix A of this report.

IS THIS A KEY DECISION REPORT?                  THIS BOX MUST BE COMPLETED     Yes                                               No     If yes, this is a Key Decision because: ……………………………………………………………..   …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….     Wards/Parishes affected: …………………………………………………………………………………..   ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..