After discussion at the Environment Committee meeting on the 9^th January 2006 it was agreed that a document should be produced for guidance to the committee and members of the public who wish to address the meeting about future planning applications.

Applicants will be allowed 3 minutes to address members. This is already policy and the meeting will be adjourned to allow this. Once reconvened the applicant is unable to contribute unless asked a direct question by the chairman or committee member.

If possible details of the proposed application would be included on the agenda.

Applicant can submit a draft plan to allow members to consider the proposal; and with prior arrangements can also use the parish council’s projector if they wish to show photographs etc. to help their explanation.

Members can ask questions to help them identify any concerns that they may have. Members would be asked to refrain from discussing in depth any issues that would be the responsibility of the Planning Department for example they can ask for sympathetic materials but should not normally discuss the exact materials that they would wish to see.

Members would identify any concerns about the proposal in order to help the applicant. It is likely that these would be additional traffic, access and egress to the site, design, loss of privacy to neighbours etc.

Members would be asked, where possible, to restrict their comments to one brief succinct statement about the proposed application. Where possible members to refrain from repeating concerns already stated by other members.

Members will not be able to state whether they would support a proposed application. Present policy states that a decision can only be taken when a planning application is submitted via the Planning Department.

Agreed at Environment Committee meeting 5^th February 2007, amended* 12.03.07.

Lighting for PROW KH2.

Mini roundabout or improvements at junction Grovewood Drive South and New Cut.

Improvements to roundabout or junction at Maidstone Studio roundabout/Grovewood Drive north (reduce height of roundabout/yellow hatching/traffic lights?).

Additional lining to traffic approaching from Notcutts roundabout so it has to slow/stop at the television studios roundabout

Improvements to width of Grovewood Drive North. Including a proper pedestrian refuge.

Vinters Valley Park Nature Reserve would always benefit from funding.

Grove Green Scouts are looking for land to build a HQ on (minimum space required for hall is 250 sq m (25mx 10m).

Improvements to traffic facilities in surrounding road system to alleviate congestion problems.

Library at Grove Green.

Traffic calming for Provender Way should be considered.

Contributions towards play areas existing and new.

Traffic lights on roundabouts around Grove Green/new cut/M20 to assist traffic flows.

Community facilities for youth at any residential area.

Pedestrian crossings to encourage/safety for pedestrians. (Bearsted Road/Ware street)

Off road car parking at the rear of the properties for residents at Gidds Pond Cottages*.

Village Halls.      Sandling, Grove Green and Weavering Village Hall could also do with some support.

Beechen Hall/parish office might benefit from development/expansion.

Walderslade/Lordswood

Missing footway Impton Lane.

Improvement to footway around the Boxley Road/Walderslade Woods Road roundabout (this will need investigation)

Repair to wooden sound barrier fence at Wildfell Close.

Walderslade Amenity Woods improvements and additions.

Community facilities for children/youth at any residential area

Westfield Sole Road – additional passing places and/or footway. Funding might be possible from any development on the Wards land on Westfield Sole Road and Gleamingwood Drive. Whilst this would not be possible for the total length of Westfield Sole Road it might possibly do some lengths of the road. If land is developed at Gleamingwood Drive then the request could be for a footway at the back of the development (Gleamingwood Drive already has a footway on one side).

Other.