Agenda and minutes

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Collins, Edwards-Daem, Paine and Paterson.

The following Substitute Members were noted:

Councillor Chittenden for Councillor Paterson

Councillor Ells for Councillor Edwards-Daem

Councillor Willis indicated his wish to speak on the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application MA/13/2079.

MA/14/0668 - RETROSPECTIVE APPLICATION FOR THE CHANGE OF USE OF LAND FROM AGRICULTURAL TO RESIDENTIAL INVOLVING THE STATIONING OF ONE MOBILE HOME AND THE LAYING OF HARD SURFACING - OAKLANDS, GRAVELLY BOTTOM ROAD, KINGSWOOD, MAIDSTONE

The Committee considered the urgent update report of the Head of Planning and Development recommending that this application be withdrawn from the agenda.  It was noted that the Officers needed to investigate information received late the previous day relating to the applicant’s submissions on gypsy status.

RESOLVED:  That agreement be given to the withdrawal of application MA/14/0668 from the agenda to enable the Officers to investigate information received relating to the applicant’s submissions on gypsy status.

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

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

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

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed.

minute 165 - 14/501209 - THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE FOR 140 TWO, THREE, FOUR AND FIVE BED DWELLINGS, NEW ACCESS ROAD OFF A20, NEW ESTATE ROADS, CAR PARKING, LANDSCAPING AND AMENITY OPEN SPACE - Bridge Nursery, London Road, Maidstone, Kent

The Chairman advised the Committee that the proposed establishment of a Monitoring Committee comprising the local Ward Members and Councillor Harwood to monitor the discharge of conditions should be progressed as a decision of the Committee, and not by way of a condition.

RESOLVED:  That the proposed establishment of a Monitoring Committee comprising the local Ward Members and Councillor Harwood to monitor the discharge of conditions should be progressed as a decision of the Committee, and not by way of a condition.

Voting:  11 – For  0 – Against  0 - Abstentions  

There were no petitions.

MA/07/2133 - DEMOLITION OF EXISTING BUILDINGS AND ERECTION OF A FIVE STOREY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT COMPRISING OF 52 STUDIO  APARTMENTS AND 24 ONE-BED FLATS WITH 38 UNDERCROFT PARKING SPACES AND 22 EXTERNAL PARKING SPACES WITH VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS FROM HART STREET TOGETHER WITH LANDSCAPING - LAGUNA MOTORCYCLES SITE, HART STREET, MAIDSTONE

The Development Manager advised Members that a revised viability assessment was still awaited.

The Chairman and Councillor Harwood stated that they had been lobbied.

The Committee considered the report and the urgent update report of the Head of Planning and Development.  The Development Manager advised the Committee that he wished to further amend proposed condition 1 relating to approval of the reserved matters to specify that the open space provision should be located in the northwest corner of the site.

Mr Collins, for the applicant, and Councillor Willis (Visiting Member) addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That subject to the prior completion of a Section 106 legal agreement in such terms as the Head of Legal Partnership may advise to secure the following:

·  The provision of 40% affordable residential units within the application site;

·  A contribution for Kent County Council of£4,000 per ‘applicable’ house and £1,000 per ‘applicable’ flat on the assumption that land will be transferred to KCC for a nominal sum for the provision of a primary school on land to the east of Hermitage Lane.  Should this not be the case, to secure an additional £2,701.63 per ‘applicable’ house and £675 per ‘applicable’ flat (‘applicable’ meaning all dwellings, excluding 1 bed units of less than 56sqm GIA, and sheltered accommodation) towards the provision of a new primary school in west Maidstone;

·  A contribution for Kent County Council of £106.37 per dwelling to be used to address the demand from the development towards additional book stock and services at Maidstone Library;

·  A contribution for Kent County Council of £47.44 per dwelling to be used to address the demand from the development towards the provision of adult social care facilities within 3 miles of the application site;

·  A contribution for Kent County Council of £30.70 per dwelling to be used to address the demand from the development towards the provision of new/expanded facilities and services both through dedicated adult education centres and through outreach community learning facilities within 3 miles of the application site;

·  A contribution for Kent County Council of £8.44 per dwelling to be used to address the demand from the development towards youth services within 2 miles of the application site;

·  A contribution for the NHS of £67,392 towards extensions and works to Barming Surgery, Blackthorn Medical Centre, Aylesford Medical Practice and Allington Park Surgery;

·  A contribution of £400 per dwelling towards off site highway improvement works to the A26/Fountain Lane junction;

·  A contribution to be negotiated towards off site highway improvement works to the A20/Coldharbour Lane junction;

·  A contribution of £86 per dwelling towards off site highway improvement works to junction 5 of the M20; and

·  A contribution to be used towards the improvement and maintenance of open space within 1km of the application site or to be offset against the complementary enhancement of the unmade section of Oakapple Lane, retaining the features that are integral to its character, to provide a secondary access used by emergency vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists (to be negotiated),

the Head of Planning and Development be given delegated powers to grant outline permission  ...  view the full minutes text for item 187.

See Minute 179 above.

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

RESOLVED:  That permission be granted subject to the conditions and informative set out in the report, as amended by the urgent update report, and the additional condition set out in the urgent update report.

Voting:  11 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

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.

It was noted that there was nothing to report at present other than that the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport and Development were aware of issues raised by Members about the Planning Portal.

The Chairman said that he would be meeting with Officers to discuss matters relating to the Planning Support shared service and would welcome Members’ input.  A Member expressed concern that he was no longer being invited to attend pre-application discussions.  The Chairman said that this issue would be included on the agenda for the next meeting of the Planning Committee Political Group Spokespersons, which would take place in January, as participation in pre-application discussions was beneficial to all parties and should be encouraged.

6.00 p.m. to 7.05 p.m.