Since the publication of the Planning Committee agenda Yalding Parish Council have confirmed that they wish to withdraw the request that the applications be reported to Planning Committee, and accept the officer recommendation.

Councillor Nelson-Gracie has also confirmed that he supports the recommendation, and requested that the following comments be included as an urgent update:

“As Maidstone has no saved plan policies relating to this type of development, or an adopted Core Strategy to support refusal, it is probable that a refusal would be lost on appeal. In the light of this, I believe your recommendations on both applications are an acceptable solution and I am happy to withdraw my objections. I hope that the three year permission will allow enough time for the Core Strategy and appropriate DPD to be produced and adopted, at which stage these applications can be reviewed in the light of the policies then in place.”

My recommendation remains unchanged.