Agenda and minutes

Members are reminded of their obligation under the Council’s Code of Conduct to disclose any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Other Significant Interests in any matter(s) to be considered or being considered at the meeting. These are explained in the Code of Conduct on the Council’s website at Code of conduct for members – Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (tmbc.gov.uk).

Members in any doubt about such declarations are advised to contact Legal or Democratic Services in advance of the meeting.

Councillor Adem Mehmet declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in respect of application TM/25/00713/PA – Land North of Fir Tree Farm, Riding Lane, Hildenborough (Agenda Item 7) as he was the planning agent for this application.  In accordance with Clause E8.6 of Protocol E Planning Code of Good Practice, Part 5 of the Constitution, he withdrew from the meeting during consideration of the item and took no part in the discussion and voting.

For reasons of transparency, Councillor Kath Barton advised that she was a neighbour of the applicant for application TM/25/00713/PA – Land North of Fir Tree Farm, Riding Lane, Hildenborough (Agenda Item 7).  This did not represent either a Disclosable Pecuniary or Other Significant Interest, however, Councillor Barton decided to withdraw from the meeting during consideration of the item and took no part in the discussion and voting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of Area 1 Planning Committee held on 4 September 2025.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Area 1 Planning Committee held on 4 September 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Glossary of abbreviations used in reports to the Area Planning Committee (attached for information)

Any supplementary matters will be circulated via report in advance of the meeting and published to the website.

Decisions were taken on the following applications subject to the pre-requisites, informatives, conditions or reasons for refusal set out in the report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health or in the variations indicated below.  Any supplementary reports were tabled at the meeting.

Members of the public addressed the meeting where the required notice had been given and their comments were taken into account by the Committee when determining the application.  Speakers are listed under the relevant planning application shown below. 

Alteration, extension and change of use of the existing building to a mixed use to comprise 34 no. apartments, with associated parking and refurbishment of existing gym (Revision of TM/19/00287/FL).

Alteration, extension and change of use of the existing building to a mixed use to comprise 34 no. apartments, with associated parking and refurbishment of existing gym (Revision of TM/19/00287/FL).

After careful consideration of the points raised by the speaker and the submitted details and conditions set out in the main and supplementary reports of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, whilst concerns were expressed in respect of the scale, height and massing of the proposed development and the impact on the townscape and visual amenity of the area, the lack of affordable housing and other infrastructure and service provision arising directly from the development, and the substandard parking provision in conflict with the adopted Kent County Council parking standards, Members acknowledged that the benefits of the proposed development would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the identified harm arising from its failure to fully satisfy policy requirements relating to affordable housing, open space, and other contributions.

It was proposed by Councillor King, seconded by Councillor Hoskins, and the Committee

RESOLVED:  That planning permission be GRANTED in accordance with the submitted details, conditions and reasons and informatives, including a section 106 agreement, as set out in both the main and the supplementary reports of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health.

[Speaker: Ms A Knight (on behalf of the Applicant) addressed the Committee in person.]

Demolition of existing stables and erection of a detached dwelling (Self-build/custom build).

Demolition of existing stables and erection of a detached dwelling (Self-build/custom build).

Due regard was given to the determining issues detailed in the report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, with particular reference made to whether the proposed site should be classified as being within the Green Belt or previously developed land.

However, on balance, it was considered that no unacceptable impact arising from the proposal had been identified that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the potential benefits of the scheme.

It was proposed by Councillor Rhodes, seconded by Councillor King, and the Committee

RESOLVED:  That planning permission be GRANTED in accordance with the submitted details, conditions and reasons and informatives, including a section 106 agreement, as set out in thereport of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health.

[Speaker: Mrs A Pink (Applicant) addressed the Committee in person.]

To receive and note any update in respect of planning appeals, public inquiries and hearings held since the last meeting of the Planning Committee.

It was noted that there had been no planning appeals, public inquiries or hearings since the last meeting of the Planning Committee.

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information.

There were no items considered in private.