Agenda and minutes

(1)          Mrs J Whittle was present for this item pursuant to Committee Procedure Rule 2.27 and spoke.

(2)       The Head of Planning Applications Group informed the Committee that a request had been received from Maidstone BC in respect of planning enforcement issues at Water Lane, Headcorn which according to Appendix 2 Parts 2 and 3 of the Constitution could only be considered by the Committee itself.  

(3)       The Head of Planning Applications Group explained the circumstances which had led to Maidstone BC’s request and recommended that regretfully, for the reasons set out in the report and supported by advice recently received from Counsel, such action would not be appropriate.  

(4)       In the light of comments made by Members of the Committee and representations from Mrs J Whittle (Local Member), the Committee unanimously agreed the resolution set out in (5) below.

(5)       RESOLVED that:-

(a)          approval be given to the enforcement strategy outlined in paragraphs 6 to 27 of the report;

(b)                      the Head of Planning Applications Group be given delegated powers in consultation with the Chairman to progress the County Council’s response to the planning enforcement issues at Water Lane, Headcorn with the exception of actions specifically reserved to the Committee within the Constitution; and

(c)          the Chairman write on the Committee’s behalf to the Leader and Chief Executive of Maidstone BC explaining the reasons that it would not be appropriate for the County Council to take the action requested by the Borough Council.  A copy of this letter will be sent to all Members of the Committee, Helen Whately MP, and the Local Member.