Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Planning Policy and Management introduced the report and advised that there was an urgent update to the draft updated response, which had been circulated. The revised letter aligned us with Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, the Forestry Commission and our local MPs and made the Council position on the matter clearer. The letter requested that Kent County Council make their decision while considering potential implications arising from a recent Supreme Court ruling on Horse Hill, Surrey and the future impacts.

Several Members commented on the importance of protecting Ancient Woodland, though it was acknowledged that this would ultimately be up to KCC. It was also raised that there was a local need for construction materials and that alternatives, such as importing them or finding other resources, would have its own carbon footprint and set of issues. Overall, the Committee approved the wording of the letter, which made the Council position on the consultation clear.

RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to the CABINET MEMBER: That

1.  The role, status and the progress regarding the update to the Kent Mineral Sites Plan by Kent County Council be noted;

2.  The actions taken to date in providing Maidstone Borough Council’s input to the Kent Mineral Sites Plan be noted; and

3.  The urgent update to the draft updated response attached as Appendix 1 to the report be approved.