Commercial site plans called in after refusal
There’s good news and bad news for objectors to a proposed commercial development near junction 8 of the M20.
Maidstone’s planning committee stuck to its guns about the Woodcut Farm site and insisted the council should defend its previous refusal of permission for a mixed office, warehouse and light industrial complex when the proposal comes up for appeal.
This was despite repeated strong advice from its planning officers that the objection should be withdrawn.
However as soon as the committee went against the officers’ recommendation head of planning, Rob Jarman, announced he would call in the decision for review by the council’s planning referrals committee with a view to having it reversed.
Officers told members of the planning committee the original refusal made in July, could no longer be defended as the site, off Ashford Road, in Hollingbourne, had now been earmarked for just such a development in the submitted Local Plan.
This plan is being reviewed by a government planning inspector.
They said there was “a very high risk” of the council incurring substantial adverse costs of up to £400,000 if it fought an appeal and lost, when the borough could be ordered to meet the legal costs of the applicant as well as their own.
Cllr Alan Bennett of Hollingbourne Parish Council urged members to stand fast, saying: “planning officers should remember they are the servants of the council and it is elected members who make the decision.”
Cllr Val Springett ( Con) described the current proposal as awful and urged colleagues not “to just roll over.”
She said: “The landscape hasn’t changed since July. Stamp your feet and say No.”
Cllr Matt Boughton (Con) said: “We have an obligation to listen to the opinion of the communities we represent - and they want us to fight this.”
Cllr Stockell asked: “What is the point of refusing an application, if we don’t then fight the appeal?”
Cllr Tony Harwood (Lib Dem) disagreed, warning: “It is absolutely inevitable the council’s case will collapse at appeal under its own contradictions.”
The vote in favour of continuing the fight was eight votes to five.
The planning referrals committee will meet on Thursday, May 11. It comprises Cllrs Wendy Hinder (Con), Cllr Brian Mortimer (Lib Dem) and Cllr Janetta Sams (Ind).