Agenda and minutes

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Trzebinski and D Wilkinson.

The following Substitute Members were noted:

Councillor Rose for Councillor D Wilkinson

Councillor Russell for Councillor Trzebinski

Councillors J and T Sams indicated their wish to speak on application 21/502369/FULL – Pilgrims Retreat, Hogbarn Lane, Harrietsham, Maidstone, Kent.

There were none.

The Chairman said that he intended to take the update report and verbal updates as urgent items as they contained further information relating to the applications to be considered at the meeting.

Councillor Holmes entered the meeting at the start of this item (6.05 p.m.).

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

All Members except Councillor Harwood indicated that they had been lobbied on agenda item 10 - Pilgrims Retreat, Hogbarn Lane, Harrietsham Maidstone, Kent.

RESOLVED:  That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.

There were no petitions.

The Committee considered the report and the urgent update report of the Head of Development Management covering applications 21/502369/FULL and 21/500786/FULL.

Prior to the introduction of the report by the Head of Development Management, the Senior Planning Officer advised the Committee that paragraphs 8.07 and 8.08 referred to paragraphs 102 and 103 of the NPPF.  This was incorrect and should be amended to refer to paragraphs 104 and 105 instead.  Two further representations had been received from residents of Pilgrims Retreat, both wishing to see the applications approved.

Application 21/502369/FULL - Retrospective change of use of land to a caravan site, including the siting of 84(no) residential caravans.

The Democratic Services Officer read out a statement on behalf of Harrietsham Parish Council covering applications 21/502369/FULL and 21/500786/FULL.

Mr Green addressed the meeting on behalf of the applicant on applications 21/502369/FULL and 21/500786/FULL.

Before making their representations on application 22/502369/FULL, Councillor T Sams said that he and Councillor J Sams lived next to the site.  They did not believe that they had Other Significant Interests, but, for transparency, they would speak and then leave the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That permission be refused for the reasons set out in the report as amended by the urgent update report.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  1 – Abstention

21/500786/FULL - Retrospective application for material change of use of land for use as caravan site including engineering works to create ditch to south of site

Mr Cussen addressed the meeting on behalf of the applicant referring also to application 21/502369/FULL.

RESOLVED:  That permission be refused for the reason set out in the report.

Voting:  13 – For  0 – Against  0  Abstentions

6.02 p.m. to 6.51 p.m.