Agenda and minutes

Councillor M Davis declared an Other Significant Interest in the agenda item relating to the Local Plan on the grounds of his status as a partner of Warner’s Solicitors.  In accordance with the dispensation granted at Minute GP 16/19 (General Purposes Committee of 20 October 2016) he remained in the meeting and addressed the Advisory Board but took no further part in the discussion or voting.

To confirm as a correct record the Notes of the meeting of the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board held on 5 June 2018

RESOLVED:  That the notes of the meeting of the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board held on 5 June 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The report updates Members on progress towards preparing the Local Plan, responds to the comments made at the previous Board meeting and proposes a recommendation to Cabinet and Council to approve the Local Plan for public consultation and submission of the Plan to the Secretary of State.

The Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health provided an update on the progress made towards preparing the Local Plan and in particular the report provided responses to matters raised at the previous Advisory Board meeting.   A recommendation to Cabinet and Council to approve the Local Plan for public consultation and its submission to the Secretary of State was also proposed.

In addition, reference was made to the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published earlier in the day (Tuesday 24 July).  Whilst there had been insufficient time in advance of the Advisory Board meeting for officers to understand the full detail it was confirmed that the transitional arrangements, previously outlined, remained in place.  Consequently the target date for submitting the Local Plan to the Secretary of State was now 24 January 2019, if the Borough Council wished to have the Plan examined against the previous NPPF and in particular to avoid the new standardised approach to housing assessment.

A number of representations regarding the Local Plan had been received from residents and community groups in advance of the public consultation which would commence, in accordance with Regulation 19, once the Plan was approved by Council.  This was expected to be in September 2018 and would give local residents and other parties the opportunity to comment on the proposals.  These comments/representations would be submitted to the Secretary of State with the Local Plan and would ultimately be considered by an appointed Planning Inspector.

The report explained how the issues raised at the Advisory Board meeting on 5 June in respect of the Local Plan had been taken into account in the revised draft (attached as Appendix 1 to the report).  It also highlighted any other changes that had been made in the light of new evidence and provided an update on the status of the Local Plan evidence base.

Careful consideration was given to the concerns raised previously, set out in detail at 1.2 of the report and it was noted that Kent Highways were bringing forward a number of junction improvements along the A20 corridor to alleviate existing issues and increase capacity for the future.  Significant improvements to the Quarry Wood junction and Coldharbour roundabout were being brought forward as part of the Maidstone Integrated Transport Strategy.

After further investigation regarding the delivery of the relief road within the proposed allocation at Borough Green, Policy LP29 had been amended to replace the original criterion 4 with two new criteria 4 and 5.  Concern was expressed that the proposed amendment to Policy LP29 would not improve traffic movement or air quality and it was felt that greater importance should be given to the relief road.   It was suggested that Policy LP29 should revert back to its earlier criteria and further consideration be given to the delivery of the relief road.

Members participated in detailed discussions on a number of issues with particular reference made to the major sites at Bushey Wood, South Aylesford, Kings Hill (Broadwater Farm), Borough Green and  ...  view the full minutes text for item PE 18/13

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 matters considered in private.