Issue - meetings

Councillors Adkinson, Kimmance, Munford and Vizzard stated that they had been lobbied.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning and Development.

Councillor Riordan of Staplehurst Parish Council and Ms Jackson, for the applicant, addressed the meeting.

Contrary to the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Development, the Committee agreed to refuse permission.  In making this decision, Members considered that the principle of the development of four units on this site would result in a cramped form of development that would be harmful to the character and appearance of the street scene, contrary to policy DM1 of the Maidstone Borough Local Plan 2017 and policies H1 and H2 of the Staplehurst Neighbourhood Plan.

RESOLVED:  That permission be refused for the following reason:

The principle of the development of four units on this site would result in a cramped form of development that would be harmful to the character and appearance of the street scene, contrary to policy DM1 of the Maidstone Borough Local Plan 2017 and policies H1 and H2 of the Staplehurst Neighbourhood Plan.

Voting:  5 – For  4 – Against  2 – Abstentions

Councillor Kimmance requested that his dissent be recorded.

Note:

1.   During the discussion on this application, concern was expressed about the limited assessment of Neighbourhood Plan policies within the Committee report.

2.  Councillor Harwood left the meeting after consideration of this application (8.55 p.m.).