Issue - meetings

All Members stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Mr Jerrett, an objector, Councillor Gillett of Lenham Parish Council (against), Mr Buckwell, for the applicant, and Councillors Powell and Sams (Visiting Members) (against) addressed the meeting.

Councillor Greer stated that as a Cabinet Member he had been involved in the Cabinet’s decision regarding this site going back to Regulation 18 consultation for deletion from the draft Local Plan.  He would not participate in the discussion or voting on the application.

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 development proposed would not constitute good design by reason of its layout (including inadequate space for structural landscaping) and scale.  It would therefore be harmful to the character and appearance of the open countryside, including the setting of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  The application was therefore contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework, in particular paragraphs 56, 57, 58 and 109, and ‘saved’ policies ENV28 and ENV33 of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000.

RESOLVED:  That permission be refused for the following reason:

The development proposed would not constitute good design by reason of its layout (including inadequate space for structural landscaping) and scale.  It would therefore be harmful to the character and appearance of the open countryside, including the setting of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  The application is therefore contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework, in particular paragraphs 56, 57, 58 and 109, and ‘saved’ policies ENV28 and ENV33 of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against

Note:  Councillor Greer did not participate in the voting on this application.