Issue - meetings

Outline Application (with all matters reserved except for means of access) for the demolition of existing buildings including the KCC Supplies depot and removal of a section of Kings Hill Avenue; the erection of up to 635 residential dwellings; a two form entry primary school with associated playing fields and land safeguarded for an extension to create a three form entry primary school;  a multi-functional extension to the community hall; a skate park; formalisation of car parking areas at the Community Centre and adjacent to Crispin Way; improvements to the highway network at Alexander Grove, Gibson Drive and Queen Street; and trim trails, woodland paths and green spaces at Kings Hill, Phase 3, Kings Hill.

It was reported that the application had been revised to address feedback received as part of the Borough Council’s statutory consultation exercise.  Details of the outline planning application were set out in the main report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, together with a wide range of policy and planning considerations.

The application was a material departure from the Development Plan and had the potential to prejudice the delivery or result in the loss of allocated employment land. There was also a high level of public interest.

A supplementary report, tabled at the meeting, provided a summary of additional information and representations received, included conditions to address contamination and drainage issues and informatives.

After listening to the views expressed by the public speakers, Members gave careful consideration to the issues surrounding the intensification of commercial land and the change from employment to residential use; the quality of the existing public transport network and the importance of improving both train and bus services for commuters and school travel; whether parking provision was sufficient; community facilities and the overall impact on services and infrastructure, not only for Kings Hill but neighbouring communities.

Members expressed serious concern about the highway infrastructure and whether it was able to deal with increased traffic movement, not only through King Hills but the surrounding road network with particular concern raised about the Kent Street junction, the A228 southbound towards Mereworth and Tonbridge and the B2016.

Finally, Members were pleased to note that discussions were ongoing between the applicant and relevant church bodies to identify a suitable site for a place of worship and that there were no planning impediments to the provision of housing for older people to retire into if such a developer came forward.

RESOLVED:  That outline planning permission be GRANTED in accordance with the submitted details, conditions and reasons set out in the main report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health; subject to

(1)     The following amendments, conditions, reasons and informatives set out in the supplementary report, tabled at the meeting:

(a)   An up to date plans list at the time of the decision being issued.

(b)   Subject to S106 heads of terms and conditions 1-33, as set out in the main report, with additional conditions on contamination and drainage set out  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54