1. Gala Bingo and Granada House as identified on the Policies Map, is allocated for the development of approximately 40 additional dwellings and no net loss of town centre uses. The following conditions are considered appropriate to be met before development is permitted.

Design and Layout

2. These two adjacent sites have the opportunity to be brought forward as a comprehensive scheme or as two adjacent sites coordinated by a single design brief.

3. The council has adopted an opportunity site framework for the site to guide future development, which highlights that:

Landscape/Ecology

4. A phase 1 habitat survey will be required, which may as a result require on and/or-off site mitigation for the existing habitat of local fauna/ flora.

5. Any detailed design shall incorporate measures to enable the greening of the site, for example, the introduction of living walls.

6. Should site characteristics limit the potential for on-site biodiversity benefits, it may be appropriate to make contributions to wider town centre biodiversity enhancement schemes.

Noise

7. Development will be subject to a noise survey to determine any necessary measures in respect of its town centre location with particular regard to the impacts of vehicular traffic, service traffic to adjacent sites and the activity associated with the site’s town centre location.

8. The scheme shall be designed with adequate noise insulation for future residents in order that the ongoing viability of surrounding commercial uses is not compromised.

Air Quality

9. The site lies within an area of poor air quality. Appropriate air quality mitigation measures are to be agreed with the council at an early stage of design development. These shall ensure that new residents are not exposed to unacceptable conditions and to also ensure that the development does not adversely impact upon existing air quality levels.

Access/Highways and Transportation

10. Town centre locations benefit from lower trip rates and lower car ownership levels, reducing the level of mitigation necessary.

11. If a car free development is proposed, proportionate contributions will be required to sustainable transport improvements within the town centre.

12. Secure cycle parking for residents to be provided.

Flood Risk/Drainage

13. The site lies within Flood Zone 3, where vulnerable uses should be directed to the area with the lowest flood risk.

Open Space

14. Appropriate residential amenity space may take the form of balconies and/or terraces, subject to their ability to provide an acceptable level of amenity having regard to noise, air quality and adjacency of other uses.

15. Where it is not feasible, due to site characteristics, to provide an appropriate level of on-site amenity space for residents in accordance with policies LPRSP13 and LPRINF1, the scheme shall make appropriate financial contributions towards off-site provision/public realm improvements within the wider town centre.

Utilities Infrastructure

16. Connections to the nearest points of the network (with adequate capacity) will be required for all utilities.

17. The developer should ensure that appropriate consultation with the underground utilities operator take place.

For more information, please visit Maidstone’s Local Plan Maidstone Borough Council Local Plan 2021-2038