The Planning Policy Officer introduced the report which covered the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021. The purpose of the Authority Monitoring Report was to outline the implementation of policies within the 2017 adopted Local Plan, the engagement exercises undertaken as part of the Council’s Duty to Co-operate and the progress of the Local Plan Review.

Specific attention was drawn to the Local Development Scheme 2021-2023 which was adopted by the Council in July 2021. Since 2011 a total of 9095 dwellings had been completed, with the shortfall experienced in previous years having been accounted for through a strong delivery of 1054 dwellings across the 2021 monitoring year.

Reference was made to the urgent update provided to the Committee, which outlined that there were several Maidstone Integrated Transport Package (MITP) Schemes that were at risk of being delivered outside of the time periods allocated within the Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP). A total of 48 schemes within the IDP had been delivered since its first iteration in 2016.

The significant effect indicators were briefly outlined, with the decrease in visits to Maidstone Borough noted although this contrasted with Kent County as a whole.

The importance of delivering the required schemes within the MITP was reiterated. The report would be displayed on the Council’s website.

RESOLVED: That the Maidstone Authority Monitoring Report 2020-2021 be noted.