Agenda and minutes

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors English and Mrs Stockell.

It was noted that Councillor Lewins was substituting for Councillor English, and that it was understood that Councillor Garland would be substituting for Councillor Mrs Stockell.  In the event, Councillor Garland did not attend the meeting.

Councillor Garten indicated his wish to speak on the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application 15/503232.

Councillor Mrs Gooch indicated her wish to speak on the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application 16/503786.

There were none.

The Chairman said that, in his opinion, the update reports of the Head of Planning and Development should be taken as urgent items as they 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 25 August 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed.

There were no petitions.

14/504109 - ADVERTISEMENT CONSENT FOR THE INSTALLATION OF 2 NO. NON-ILLUMINATED METAL POLE MOUNTED SIGNS (RETROSPECTIVE APPLICATION) - HUNTON C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL, BISHOPS LANE, HUNTON, KENT

The Development Manager advised Members that the Case Officer had experienced difficulty in engaging with the School due to the summer holidays.  However, it was hoped to report the application back to the Committee within the next couple of cycles.

All Members stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Mrs Lomax, an objector, Councillor Bennett of Hollingbourne Parish Council (against), Mr Barnes, for the applicant, and Councillor Garten (Visiting Member) addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report with an additional condition and an additional informative as follows:

Additional Condition

Prior to first occupation of the dwelling hereby permitted details of bat boxes/tubes to be installed within the eaves of the building shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and the development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details and maintained thereafter.

Reason:  In the interests of biodiversity enhancement.

Additional Informative

The applicant is reminded that building works and delivery of materials should be carried out in accordance with the submitted construction method statement.

Voting:  9 – For  2 – Against  1 – Abstention

Councillor Munford stated that he had been lobbied.

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

Councillor Manser of Barming Parish Council (against), Mr Savell, the applicant, and Councillor Mrs Gooch (Visiting Member) addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That consideration of this application be deferred for one cycle to enable details to be provided in relation to:

·  Landscaping to soften the impact of the acoustic fence;

·  Access track surfacing materials (naturalistic approach);

·  Closing up and landscaping of existing byway access;

·  Preservation of ecological networks (gaps under fencing and hedgerow links); and

·  Other potential enhancements to overcome harm to residential amenity.

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

Councillors Prendergast and Round stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Mr Bennett, an objector, Councillor Pyman of Headcorn Parish Council (against) and Mr Eastwood, 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 two additional units would be more prominent at the north-western end of the site and any supplementary landscaping would not mitigate the harm to the landscape and character of the countryside with the site being located in an unsustainable location removed from local facilities.  This was contrary to policy ENV28 of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000 and the National Planning Policy Framework.

RESOLVED:  That permission be refused for the following reason:

The two additional units would be more prominent at the north-western end of the site and any supplementary landscaping would not mitigate the harm to the landscape and character of the countryside with the site being located in an unsustainable location removed from local facilities.  This is contrary to policy ENV28 of the Maidstone Borough-Wide Local Plan 2000 and the National Planning Policy Framework.

Voting:  6 – For  4 – Against  2 – Abstentions

Councillors Cox and Harwood requested that their dissent be recorded.

Councillor Harwood left the meeting after consideration of this application (7.45 p.m.).

Councillors Boughton, Prendergast and Round 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) addressed the meeting.

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

Within 2 months from the date of this consent native species hedgerows shall be planted alongside the western and southern fence perimeters defining the plot hereby approved and planted abutting any post and rail fencing defining the adjoining paddocks. Any planting becoming dead, dying or diseased within 5 years shall be replaced with planting of the same species and size in the same location.

Reason:  In the interests of amenity. 

Voting:  10 – For  0 – Against  1 – Abstention

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 Parr, for the applicant, addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report as amended by 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.

There were no announcements on this occasion.

6.00 p.m. to 8.45 p.m.