Agenda item

Outline planning application for the development of up to 435 dwellings, including 40% affordable homes, with associated landscaping, parking, open space, play areas, etc. Realignment of Beaver Road and the construction of a new vehicular access off of Beaver Road and construction of a new vehicular access onto Godwin Road, and all other associated development works (Access only detailed matter with all other matters reserved).

Outline planning application for the development of up to 435 dwellings, including 40% affordable homes, with associated landscaping, parking, open space, play areas, etc. Realignment of Beaver Road, and all other associated development works (Access only detailed matter with all other matters reserved).

Due regard was given to the determining issues detailed in both the main and the supplementary reports of the Director of Planning, Housing and Regulatory Services, as well as the points raised by the speakers.  Members expressed concerns regarding the loss of green space, infrastructure pressures, traffic congestion, environmental impacts, and the suitability of the proposed secondary access via Castor Park given its unadopted road status by the Kent County Council.

However, it was acknowledged that the proposed development supported the overarching aims of national and local planning policy in relation to housing delivery by providing up to 435 dwellings and making a strong contribution towards the existing local shortfall, including policy compliant affordable housing.  Furthermore, financial contributions were proposed to mitigate the impacts of the development on key services, including public open space provision and enhancement and health provision, off-site highway junction and cycleway improvements, public transport, provision of education facilities and community services and Network Rail contributions for upgrading Barming Station.  Therefore, on balance, it was considered that no unacceptable impacts arising from the proposal had been identified that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the potential benefits of the development.

It was proposed by Councillor D Thornewell (Chair), seconded by Councillor T Bishop, that the planning application be approved subject to an additional condition to restrict the use of the secondary access off Castor Park as an emergency access only, with details regarding design, measures to prevent unauthorised access, monitoring and future enforcement to be submitted to and approved in writing by the Council as the Local Planning Authority prior to development above slab level of any dwellings with the agreed measures to be installed and in good working order prior to occupation of any dwelling on site.  Following a formal vote, the proposal was carried with six Members voting in favour and seven Members abstained from voting.

RESOLVED:  That planning permission be GRANTED in accordance with the submitted details, conditions, reasons and informatives set out in both the main and the supplementary reports of the Director of Planning, Housing and Regulatory Services, subject to:

(1)          the applicant entering into a planning obligation through a Section 106 agreement with the Council to provide on-site affordable housing and financial contributions towards public open space provision and enhancement and health provision (subject to final agreement), off-site highway junction and cycleway improvements, public transport, the provision of education facilities and community services and Network Rail contributions for upgrading Barming Station as set out in paragraph 6.105 of the main report; and

(2)          addition of a condition to restrict the use of the secondary access off Castor Park as an emergency access only, with the final wording of the condition being delegated to the Director of Planning, Housing and Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Area 3 Planning Committee, to agree.

[Speakers: Councillors S Forecast and T Cannon (Ward Members for Palace Wood of Maidstone Borough Council) and Mr S Crickett (Agent on behalf of the Applicant) addressed the Committee in person and Ms A Poletti (member of the public on behalf of New Allington Action Group) addressed the Committee via MS Teams.]