Agenda and minutes

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Paterson, Mrs Robertson and J A Wilson.

The following Substitute Members were noted:-

Councillor English for Councillor Mrs Robertson

Councillor Mrs Wilson for Councillor Paterson

Councillor McLoughlin indicated his wish to speak on the reports of the Head of Planning and Development relating to applications MA/13/0103 and MA/13/0104.

Councillor D Mortimer indicated his wish to speak on the reports of the Head of Planning and Development relating to applications MA/12/1541 and MA/13/0169.

Councillor Sams indicated his wish to speak on the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application MA/12/1518.

There were none.

Update Report

The Chairman stated that, in his opinion, the update report of the Head of Planning and Development should be taken as an urgent item because it contained further information relating to the applications to be considered at the meeting.

With regard to the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application MA/12/1949, Councillor Ash stated that he knew Mr Norton who had registered to speak on behalf of Wealden Ltd, the applicant.  However, he had not discussed the application with Mr Norton, and intended to speak and vote when it was considered.

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

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 June 2013 be approved as a correct record and signed.

There were no petitions.

MA/12/1541 - ERECTION OF FOUR BLOCKS OF TWO AND THREE-STOREY TERRACED HOUSES COMPRISING 12 TWO-BEDROOM AND 12 THREE-BEDROOM HOUSES FOR AFFORDABLE RENT WITH ASSOCIATED PRIVATE AMENITY SPACE AND CAR PARKING - LAND OFF TOVIL GREEN, TOVIL, MAIDSTONE, KENT

See Minute 67 below.

Councillors Cox, English, Hogg and Paine stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Mrs Gandy, an objector, Mr Carter of the North Loose Residents’ Association (against), Mr Atkinson, for the applicant, and Councillor D Mortimer 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 proposal, by virtue of the proposed uses, layout and design would result in a development that would fail to respond positively to the character and appearance of the area and would result in a cramped form of development that would fail to provide an acceptable level of amenity for future occupiers.  The proposal is therefore contrary to the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework 2012.

RESOLVED:  That permission be refused for the following reason:-

The proposal, by virtue of the proposed uses, layout and design would result in a development that would fail to respond positively to the character and appearance of the area and would result in a cramped form of development that would fail to provide an acceptable level of amenity for future occupiers.  The proposal is therefore contrary to the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework 2012.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

All Members except Councillor Ash stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Ms Bloomfield for objectors, Councillor Morris of Harrietsham Parish Council (against), Mrs Cash, the applicant, and Councillor Sams addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:

1.  That permission be granted subject to the conditions and informative set out in the report.

2.  That the Officers be requested to liaise with the applicant to ensure that the works required pursuant to condition 3 (alternative access treatment and landscaping) are delivered and to provide informal progress reports for the Planning Committee on the implementation of these works.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

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.

Councillor Pyman of Headcorn Parish Council (against) and Mr Norton, for the applicant, addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That consideration of this application be deferred for further negotiations regarding the design and layout, including highways and the location of the play area, ecological enhancements and the Heads of Terms of the proposed S106 legal agreement.

Voting:  8 – For  0 – Against  4 – Abstentions

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

Councillor Gershon of Boughton Monchelsea Parish Council (against) addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Voting:    12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

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

Mrs Coster, the joint applicant, and Councillor McLoughlin addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Voting:  11 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

Note:  Councillor English left the meeting during consideration of this application, but returned prior to consideration of application MA/13/0104.

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

Mrs Coates, the applicant, and Councillor McLoughlin addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

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

Ms Newton, for the applicant, and Councillor D Mortimer addressed the meeting.

Contrary to the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Development, the Committee agreed to refuse permission.  In making this decision, the Committee felt that the proposed development, by virtue of its layout and design would fail to respond positively to the sylvan nature of the site and would result in significant harm to the character and appearance of the area.  The proposal is therefore contrary to the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework 2012.

During the discussion on this application, a Member requested that his concerns regarding the need to provide appropriate infrastructure to mitigate the impact of residential development in Tovil be recorded.

RESOLVED:  That permission be refused for the following reason:-

The proposed development, by virtue of its layout and design would fail to respond positively to the sylvan nature of the site and would result in significant harm to the character and appearance of the area.  The proposal is therefore contrary to the guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework 2012.

Voting:  9 – For  2 – Against  1 – Abstention

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning and Development setting out details of appeal decisions received since the last meeting.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

Note:  Councillor Moriarty left the meeting after consideration of this report.

The Chairman drew the Committee’s attention to forthcoming visits/training sessions.

6.00 p.m. to 10.15 p.m.