81 homes at Land West Of Lodge Road, Staplehurst

A neighbour comment

One neighbour representation had been received since the agenda was published, raising no new issues.

“When introducing the application, the Principal Planning Officer advised the Committee that one neighbour representation had been received since publication of the agenda, but it did not raise any new issues.”

Minutes

Who spoke

A parish councillor and the applicant's agent addressed the meeting.

Why members refused

Going against officers' advice, members refused permission because the scheme provided no affordable housing, the council's top priority, breaching policy and failing to deliver mixed communities, which outweighed its benefits.

“Contrary to the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Economic Development, the Committee agreed to refuse permission. In making this decision, the Committee considered that with no affordable housing being provided, which is the Council’s top priority, the application was contrary to policy LPRSP10(B) of the Local Plan Review and the NPPF, and the development fails to provide the delivery of mixed communities.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was refused for the reasons given, with officers asked to finalise the wording and add the relevant policies.

“RESOLVED: That permission be refused for the reason summarised above and that the Head of Planning and Economic Development be given delegated powers to finalise the wording and add the relevant local and national policies.”

Minutes