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Maidstone Borough Council

Local Development Document Task and Finish Scrutiny Panel

Tuesday 20 March 2012

Core Strategy Progress Report

Report of: Performance and Scrutiny Officer

1.      Introduction

1.1        The Task and Finish Scrutiny Panel has been appointed by the Regeneration & Economic Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee to take on the advisory function to the Executive during the Local Development Document process as well as the role of Overview and Scrutiny within the policy framework process.

2.      Recommendation

2.1        The Committee is recommended to review the progress made to date, note the next steps in the process and make recommendations accordingly.

3.      Background information    

3.1     The Core Strategy once adopted will set the general direction of development in the borough until 2026. It deals with homes, jobs, shopping, leisure, environment and transport issues. The Core Strategy also deals with the local services needed to support any new development. The document does not allocate actual sites but it does identify 'strategic locations'.

3.2     Public consultation took place in 2011 and just under 3000 representations were received from stakeholders and residents, each representation will be responded to. Currently the Core Strategy is due to be considered by Cabinet in June 2012.

4.      Impact on Corporate Objectives

4.1    The Core strategy is a development policy document within the Local Development Framework which relates the Strategic Plan priorities ‘For Maidstone to have a growing economy’ and ‘For Maidstone to be a decent place to live’.