All
Members stated that they had been lobbied.
The
Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning and
Development.
Councillor Clarke of Boxley Parish
Council and Mr Booth, for the applicant, 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 development would cause an unacceptable and
unjustified loss of ancient woodland, which would have adverse
effects upon an irreplaceable habitat and the ecological importance
of the site. This would be contrary to
policy DM3 of the final draft Maidstone Local Plan (2011 –
2031) and paragraph 118 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
The benefits of the development were
not considered to outweigh this significant harm.
RESOLVED: That
permission be refused for the following
reason:
The
development would cause an unacceptable and unjustified loss of
ancient woodland, which would have adverse effects upon an
irreplaceable habitat and the ecological importance of the
site. This would be contrary to policy
DM3 of the final draft Maidstone Local Plan (2011 – 2031) and
paragraph 118 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
The benefits of the development are not
considered to outweigh this significant harm.
Voting: 8 –
For
1 – Against 2
– Abstentions