Issue - meetings

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Development Management.

Mrs Al-Shawi, the applicant, had registered to speak on the application but was unwell.

Councillor Garten (Visiting Member) addressed the meeting remotely.

During the discussion, Councillor McKenna stated that one of his businesses was located at Leeds Castle which was close to the application site.  To avoid the appearance of bias, he would not participate further in the discussion or the voting on the application.

Contrary to the recommendation of the Head of Development Management, the Committee agreed to refuse permission.  In making this decision, the Committee considered that:

The existing building has a very limited impact on the countryside because of its size and curtilage but the proposal due to the size and scale of the building extension, external lighting, access road, car parking and increased level of activity will have a jarring and detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the countryside in this particular location which is remote from other development and the harm identified is not outweighed by any need for an office use in this location contrary to policies SP17 and DM30 of the Maidstone Borough Local Plan 2017.

RESOLVED:  That permission be refused and that the Head of Development Management be given delegated powers to finalise the reasons for refusal based on the issues summarised above.

Voting:  7 – For  2 – Against  0 – Abstentions

Note:  Having stated that one of his businesses was located at Leeds Castle, which was close to the application site, Councillor McKenna did not participate in the voting.