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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

EXTRAORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING

20 MARCH 2024

BRIEFING NOTE ON KCC RESPONSE TO MAIDSTONE LOCAL PLAN ADOPTION

A letter was received by email on 19 March 2024 at 16.37 from Simon Jones, Corporate Director, Growth, Environment and Transport at Kent County Council.

He asked that the letter be put before the Cabinet on 19 March 2024 at 18.30.

Clarification has been sought as to whether Simon Jones has sent the letter simply as a senior officer or with political authority.

The letter raises no new points.  

It is important for members to note that Kent County Council has taken the opportunity previously, including through the later stages of the Local Plan Review examination, to raise the points set out in the letter including those relating to education and highways matters. The letter expresses points on timing of education provision and location of school infrastructure, as well as the provision of mitigation associated with specified allocations within the Local Plan Review.

The Inspector appointed on behalf of the Secretary of State is the arbiter as to whether or not Maidstone’s Local Plan Review is sound and legally compliant. It was therefore for the Inspector to have regard to the matters raised by Kent County Council and come to a decision regarding their merits.

The Inspector has provided Maidstone Borough Council with a robust and detailed Final Report that has addressed points raised by people and organisations who made representations on the Plan including Kent County Council. He has found Maidstone Local Plan Review to be sound and in considering the views expressed, along with the evidence submitted, has required the Council to include Main Modifications to the Local Plan Review.

These Main Modifications include further clarity and detail regarding education and highway infrastructure, proportionate with the level of detail required for a Local Plan Review. Furthermore, the Inspector has required the preparation of Supplementary Planning Documents for the 3 strategic locations contained within the Local Plan Review.  This will ensure further evidence is developed and further detail is provided to masterplan and facilitate site delivery. This includes, for example the detailed design requirements for education and highway matters, at the appropriate time. Importantly, the preparation of the Supplementary Planning Documents will also include further opportunities for engagement with communities, infrastructure providers and stakeholders.

Members are therefore reminded that there is no opportunity to change the Local Plan Review at this meeting. The decision is simply to decide whether or not, with the Main Modifications, the Plan should be adopted to help ensure that future development, infrastructure and services are planned for.