Issue - meetings

All Members stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Councillor Thomas of Headcorn Parish Council (against) and Mr Woods, for the applicant, addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:

1.  That subject to the prior completion of a legal agreement, in such terms as the Head of Legal Services may advise, to secure the following:-

·  A contribution of £576.32 for additional bookstock at the local libraries required by the demand created by the proposed development;

·  A contribution of £3,187.50 towards the provision of a detached youth worker for the Maidstone Rural Youth Project required as a result of this development;

·  A contribution of £225.72 for adult social services towards Telecare equipment for homes of clients generated as a result of this development;

·  A contribution of £17,280 for improving the existing health care facilities at Headcorn Surgery;

·  A contribution of £1,575 per dwelling for the improvement of the open space provision within the surrounding area; and

·  A Landscape Management Plan for a period of not less than ten years

the Head of Development Management be given delegated powers to grant permission subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report and the additional condition set out in the urgent update report with (a) the amendment of the reason for approval and conditions 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11 and (b) an additional informative as follows:-

Reason for Approval (amended)

The  proposed development is not in accordance with the policies of the Development Plan.  However, due to the specific planning history, the fallback position for development and the high quality design specification for the proposal including its architecture, landscape and biodiversity improvements, the development, subject to the conditions stated, is considered to represent circumstances that would result in less harm and would outweigh the existing policies in the Development Plan and there are no overriding material considerations to indicate a refusal of planning consent.

Condition 3 (amended)

No development shall take place until written details and samples of the materials as shown on the submitted drawings, including the proposed balcony enclosures to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the buildings hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and the development shall be constructed using the approved materials.

Reason:  To ensure a satisfactory appearance to the development and to ensure the high design quality of the development, which is one of the reasons for departing from the Development Plan, is maintained in accordance with policies ENV28 and ENV34 of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000 and C4 of the South East Plan 2009.

Condition 4 (amended)

No development shall take place until there has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority a scheme of landscaping, including the species to be used on the green walls, using indigenous species, which shall include indications of all existing trees and hedgerows on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 352