Issue - meetings

All Members except Councillor Edwards-Daem stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Mr Bayliss, an objector, Councillor Mannington of Marden Parish Council (in support), Mr Mandy, for the applicant, and Councillors McLoughlin and Mrs Blackmore (Visiting Members) addressed the meeting.

Contrary to the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Development, the Committee agreed to refuse permission.  In making this decision, Members felt that the proposed development, by way of its mass, design and layout, would fail to respect, respond and relate to the established pattern of built development in the immediate surroundings and the wider context of Marden (breaching the northern boundary of the railway line), and would thus cause harm to the character and appearance of the open countryside and would fail to represent good design.  Furthermore, no overriding need has been demonstrated.  To permit the proposal would therefore be contrary to Local Plan policy ENV28 of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000 and Central Government Advice contained in the National Planning Policy Framework.

RESOLVED:  That permission be refused for the following reason:

The proposed development, by way of its mass, design and layout, would fail to respect, respond and relate to the established pattern of built development in the immediate surroundings and the wider context of Marden (breaching the northern boundary of the railway line), and would thus cause harm to the character and appearance of the open countryside and would fail to represent good design.  Furthermore, no overriding need has been demonstrated.  To permit the proposal would therefore be contrary to Local Plan policy ENV28 of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000 and Central Government Advice contained in the National Planning Policy Framework.

Voting:  7 – For  4 – Against  1 – Abstention