Agenda and minutes

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Munford and Spooner.

The following Substitute Members were noted:

Councillor Mrs Gooch for Councillor Munford

Councillor Perry for Councillor Spooner

Councillor Newton indicated his wish to speak on the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application 17/503043 (Land South of Avery Lane and Land South of Sutton Road, Otham, Kent).

There were none.

There were no urgent items.

With regard to the report of the Head of Planning and Development relating to application 17/500984 (Land Between Ringleside and Ringles Gate, Grigg Lane, Headcorn, Kent), Councillor Prendergast said that her husband had previously rented office space through a Trust in Headcorn, and she believed that the applicant was an employee of the Trust.  However, she did not think that this had any bearing on the determination of the application.

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

RESOLVED:  That the reference from the Policy and Resources Committee relating to the management of planning appeal costs be noted.

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

Councillor Dungey of Headcorn Parish Council and Mr Hodson, the applicant, addressed the meeting.

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

Voting:  6 – For  5 – Against  2 – Abstentions

The Chairman and Councillors Boughton, Clark, Powell, Prendergast and Round stated that they had been lobbied.

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

Mr Przyjemski, for the applicant, and Councillor Newton (Visiting Member) addressed the meeting.

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

Voting:  7 – For  5 – 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.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning and Development suggesting that an unspent S106 contribution towards the provision of open space (£80,556.18) be put towards the public realm improvement project at Maidstone East Railway Station.  It was noted that:

·  Outline planning application MA/10/0485 for residential development at the former Horticultural Unit, Hadlow College, Oakwood Park, Tonbridge Road was approved subject to the prior completion of a S106 agreement to secure, inter alia, a contribution of £1,575 per dwelling (expected to be 50 dwellings) towards the provision of open space.  The contribution totalling £80,556.18 including indexation was paid to the Council in 2013.

·  Since the S106 agreement did not specifically define where the open space contribution should be spent and there was no spend by date within the agreement, it was suggested that the unspent contribution be put towards the public realm improvement project at Maidstone East Railway Station.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the S106 contribution towards the provision of open space (£80,556.18) secured in relation to application MA/10/0485 be put towards the public realm improvement project at Maidstone East Railway Station to facilitate a greener environment of the open space.

2.  That delegated authority be given to the Head of Regeneration and Economic Development, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee and the Political Group Spokespersons of the Planning Committee, to agree the final designs for the public realm in the forecourt of the Station.

Voting:  12 – For   0 – Against  1 – Abstention

On behalf of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman and the Development Manager updated the Committee on the introduction of planning performance agreements which was seen to be a positive move going forward.

6.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.