Issue - meetings

1)  That the proposals set out in the SCRAIP from Planning, Transport and Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee (PTDOSC) on 16 December 2014 as attached at Appendix C to the report of the Head of Planning and Development, together with the proposed amendments to the development management policies detailed in Appendix A to the report be agreed, subject to the following amendments:-

Policy DM1 – There should be an additional amendment to Policy DM1 so that the first sentence reads – “Proposals for development on previously developed land (Brownfield land) that make effective and efficient use of land and which meet the following criteria will be encouraged and permitted”.

Policy DM4 – Paragraph iii) be removed, paragraphs xii) and xiii) be amalgamated and the rest of the paragraphs be renumbered to reflect these changes.

Policy DM10 – An additional paragraph be added – “Further consideration will be given to concerns about receptor sites and additional reference will be drafted by the Head of Planning and Development in consultation with the portfolio holder for Planning, Transport and Development”.

Policy DM23 11.124 – The final sentence of this paragraph should read “Where affordable housing is proposed or required, the housing register will provide additional guidance”.

Policy DM25 Key Issue 2 Officer Response: Replace the word ‘principal’ with the word ‘principle’ and Key Issue 8 Officer Response: remove the Planning Minister’s name

and with the exception of Policies DM13, 14 and 15 which will be subject to further consideration when transport modelling advice is available and Policy DM24 which will be subject to further consideration when updated viability information is available;

2)  That, the proposals set out in the SCRAIP from PTDOSC on 16 December 2014 (as attached to the report at Appendix C) and the proposed amendments to the infrastructure delivery policies detailed in Appendix A to the report be agreed and that the policies be approved for regulation 19 consultation in July 2015;

3)  That, the proposals set out in the SCRAIP from PTDOSC on 16 December 2014 (as attached to the report at Appendix C), and the amendments to the proposed care home policy detailed in Appendix B to the report be approved, for regulation 18 consultation in February 2015; and

4)  That it be noted that in regard to Policy DM18 – an additional representation had been received to include the James Whatman Site, at least in part, in the list of retained employment sites and that consideration should be given to this before Regulation 19 consultation is conducted; and

5)  That reference to Neighbourhood Plans and their importance in the Development Plan framework be highlighted and strengthened in the introductory narrative to the Local Plan as a whole and that publicity material associated with the Local Plan should also reference the important role of Neighbourhood Plans prominently where appropriate.

Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to the Maidstone Borough Local Plan – Development Management and Infrastructure Delivery Policies.

Members also considered the Urgent Update from Officers and the SCRAIP from the Planning, Transport and Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee from the meeting held on 16 December 2014.

The Head of Planning and Development updated Members on a representation he had received from Agents acting for the Eclipse Business Park which queried the appropriateness of identifying the site for Park and Ride use and making it too site specific.  Members noted the comments made.

DECISION MADE:

1)  That the proposals set out in the SCRAIP from Planning, Transport and Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee (PTDOSC) on 16 December 2014 as attached at Appendix C to the report of the Head of Planning and Development, together with the proposed amendments to the development management policies detailed in Appendix A to the report be agreed, subject to the following amendments:-

Policy DM1 – There should be an additional amendment to Policy DM1 so that the first sentence reads – “Proposals for development on previously developed land (Brownfield land) that make effective and efficient use of land and which meet the following criteria will be encouraged and permitted”.

Policy DM4 – Paragraph iii) be removed, paragraphs xii) and xiii) be amalgamated and the rest of the paragraphs be renumbered to reflect these changes.

Policy DM10 – An additional paragraph be added – “Further consideration will be given to concerns about receptor sites and additional reference will be drafted by the Head of Planning and Development in consultation with the portfolio holder for Planning, Transport and Development”.

Policy DM23 11.124 – The final sentence of this paragraph should read “Where affordable housing is proposed or required, the housing register will provide additional guidance”.

Policy DM25 Key Issue 2 Officer Response: Replace the word ‘principal’ with the word ‘principle’ and Key Issue 8 Officer Response: remove the Planning Minister’s name

and with the exception of Policies DM13, 14 and 15 which will be subject to further consideration when transport modelling advice is available and Policy DM24 which will be subject to further consideration when updated viability information is available;

2)  That, the proposals set out in the SCRAIP from PTDOSC on 16 December 2014 (as attached to the report at Appendix C) and the proposed amendments to the infrastructure delivery policies detailed in Appendix A to the report be agreed and that the policies be approved for regulation 19 consultation in July 2015;

3)  That, the proposals set out in the SCRAIP from PTDOSC on 16 December 2014 (as attached to the report at Appendix C), and the amendments to the proposed care home policy detailed in Appendix B to the report be approved, for regulation 18 consultation in February 2015; and

4)  That it be noted that in regard to Policy DM18 – an additional representation had been received to include the James Whatman Site, at least  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99

An interview with Darren Bridgett, Principal Planning Officer, Spatial Planning regarding:

·  The responses to development management policies contained in the Maidstone Borough Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation 2014 (MBLP 2014) in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning)(England) Regulations 2012 and the proposed amendments to these policies following regulation 18 consultation;

·  The proposed amendments to the two infrastructure delivery policies for approval for the regulation 19 consultation;

·  A new development management policy, covering care homes.

Rob Jarman, Head of Planning and Development, Darren Bridgett, Principal Officer, Spatial Policy and Adam Reynolds, Planning Officer, Spatial Policy were in attendance for this item.

Darren Bridgett presented the report and explained there were three matters for the committee to consider:

1.  The responses and proposed changes to the development management policies as a result of regulation 18 consultation carried out between 21 March and 7 May 2014;

2.  The responses and proposed changes to the infrastructure delivery policies as a result of regulation 18 consultation carried out between 21 March and 7 May 2014;and,

3.  The proposed care home policy, due to go out for regulation 18 consultation in February 2015.

Mr Bridgett went on to explain the types of policies presented in the report included:

·  Place shaping policies;

·  Allocation policies;

·  Infrastructure delivery policies to support new development;

·  Development management policies to guide development and planning officers when making planning decisions.

Mr Bridgett informed the committee that due to the council’s collegial approach to refining the local plan, the development management policies were responded to by the council’s Housing and Economic Development Teams.  As a result policy DM24 Affordable Housing, had not been reported due to the large number of comments received.  The comments related to the cost of providing affordable housing, tenure split, the proposed geographical split and tenants who would live in the houses.  Various delivery mechanisms would be explored and a report would be brought to the committee prior to policy DM24 going out for consultation in July 2015.

Mr Jarman updated the committee on the situation with Kent County Council’s (KCC) transport modelling for the borough.  He explained, the Vizam modelling software was used to provide a strategic model of various transport options.  However, Mr Jarman stated there was no timetable available for when the modelling would be completed.

Mr Jarman expressed his concern as any suggested transport model needed to be tested, including public transport, which had not been started by KCC. Without a tested transport model the local plan would be found unsound at inspection.

Mr Jarman went on to explain the council had carried out its own detailed traffic modelling with Mott McDonald in three locations in the borough, Coxheath; Staplehurst cross roads and the Coldharbour at junction 5 of the M20.

Mr Jarman told the committee the absence of traffic modelling would have implications on planning applications as well as delay the local plan.

During discussions the committee raised the following points:

·  The volume and importance of policies warranted all councillors spending more time going through them thoroughly.  The intention was to agree the policies attached to the report to enable officers’ time to concentrate on the more contentious policies and follow the timetable of events leading to the local plan being adopted.

·  Concern was raised regarding policy DM20 – Leisure and community uses in the town centre.  It was felt care should be taken not to kill off the retail offer in the town by requiring the retention  ...  view the full minutes text for item 116