Three pocket parks at Land Within Brewer Street Union Street And Union Street Junction With Week Street Maidstone

“Vehicular access is restricted beyond the sites onto the adjoining pedestrianised area of Week Street by bollards and street furniture. Brewer Street 1.03 There is a footpath on either side, this contains street furniture including lighting columns, telephone cabinets and signage. Flank walls of the adjoining buildings abut the back edge of the footway, these contain part shop front/part blank frontages.”

“None of the sites fall within a Conservation Area but the sites are adjacent and/or within the setting (Union Street and St Faiths Street), together with the setting of Listed Buildings (in particular St Faiths Street). The extract plan below highlights the Conservation Areas in brown and Listed Buildings in red hatched. The sites are all/partly within areas of potential archaeological interest. PROPOSAL 2.01 The proposal is described as Creation of 3 no.”

“All three sites are currently adopted highway, although access is restricted beyond the sites towards Week Street and therefore are essentially no through roads. Parking restrictions (double yellow lines) exist at all three sites with some designated parking on Union and St Faiths Street. The proposal would preclude vehicular access at all three sites, with bollards at both ends of the pocket parks.”

“For Union Street the proposals would result in the loss of 2 standard parking bays. The loss of these bays is not considered objectionable as alternative spaces are available within the locality, with public car parks, and other on-street spaces. Further comments have been made by local businesses and community uses regarding the loss of the road for both people drop off, loading and unloading.”

“Following further consultation, additional information was requested, however after discussion with Highways Engineer it was established verbally (any further written response will be updated to Members as necessary): -No objection to principle of the change of use and the highway becoming pocket parks -Surfacing appears appropriate for continued use by pedestrians and cyclists -The loss of parking is not reason to object and the loss of the spaces would not impact on the…”

“KCC Archaeological Officer 5.03 No objection subject to conditions. MBC Landscape Officer 5.04 No objection, subject to conditions MBC Conservation Officer 5.05 The replacement of tarmac areas would result in an improvement to the setting of historic buildings and Maidstone’s Conservation Areas.”

“LOCAL REPRESENTATIONS Local Residents: Three representations (2 from the same person) received objecting to the application for the following (summarised) reasons: • Loss of parking • No need for additional park/seating • Loss of access to load and unload • Loss of drop off point for local church • Matters relating to permits Councillor Gooch 4.02 Re-iterated comments received on behalf of the United Reform Church which can be summarised as : • Increased distance…”

“Having stated that they were Cabinet Members, Councillors Harwood and S Thompson left the meeting while this Council application was discussed.”

“The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning and Economic Development.”

“Permission be granted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report; and…”

“The Head of Planning and Economic Development be given delegated powers to be able to settle or amend any necessary planning conditions and/or informative in line with the matters set out in the recommendation and as resolved by the Planning Committee.”