Issue - meetings

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

Mr Bevan, an objector, addressed the meeting in person.

Mr Lemon addressed the meeting remotely on behalf of the applicant.

Councillor Purle (Visiting Member) addressed the meeting remotely.

Contrary to the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Development, the Committee agreed to refuse permission for the following summarised reasons:

·  The proposed development by reason of its layout, design, bulk, scale and massing, and consequential lack of appropriate and sufficient landscaping to mitigate the impacts of the development including opportunities to improve biodiversity in and around the site, over-development and lack of sufficient parking provision on-site both for future residents and for the servicing of the site in terms of visitor and delivery parking, results in a development which fails to integrate successfully in this prominent location on the approach to Maidstone Town Centre characterised by sylvan, spacious plots and the use of ragstone and, as a result, would fail to achieve a high-quality design contrary to policy.

·  The proposed development by reason of its design, scale and massing would represent an overbearing form of development resulting in a loss of outlook and privacy to the occupants of No.49 London Road contrary to policy DM1 of the Maidstone Borough Local Plan (2017) and other policies relating to design.

RESOLVED:  That permission be refused and that the Head of Planning and Development be given delegated powers to finalise the reasons for refusal, to include the key issues cited above, and to incorporate the relevant policies.

Voting:  13 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions