Issue - meetings

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning and Development seeking clarification on the use of the £100,000 balance of the S106 contribution for projects to mitigate the impact of application MA/12/2314 (Next Store, Eclipse Park) on the Town Centre. 

It was noted that:

·  At the meeting of the Committee held on 29 August 2013, it was agreed that subject to the priorcompletion of a S106 legal agreement in such terms as the Head of Legal Services may advise to secure the following:

A contribution of £140,000 to offset the impact of the development on the Town Centre with £100,000 being used towards public realm improvement projects in the Town Centre and £40,000 to fund the programme of the Maidstone Town Team,

the Head of Planning and Development be given delegated powers to approve application MA/12/2314 subject to conditions.

·  In accordance with the terms of the S106 agreement, the sum of £40,000 had been given to The Town Team and its successor organisation, One Maidstone, and this had been spent on events, floral displays, marketing and a feature lighting installation on the Town Hall.

·  It was proposed that the balance of £100,000 be put towards the Public Realm Improvements Project Phase 3 to include the whole of Week Street and Gabriels Hill.

RESOLVED:  That the balance (£100,000) of the S106 contribution for projects to mitigate the impact of application MA/12/2314 (Next Store, Eclipse Park) on the Town Centre be put towards the Public Realm Improvements Project Phase 3 to include the whole of Week Street and Gabriels Hill.

Voting:  11 – For  1 – Against  0 - Abstentions