Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development introduced the report, and stated that the main modifications attached at appendices 1 and 2 to the report were the Planning Inspector’s (the Inspector’s) recommendations to enhance the soundness of the Local Plan Review (the Plan). The Cabinet Member supported the plan’s progression, which post adoption would support suitable development within the borough. 

It was proposed that two public consultations take place at the same time; the first concerned the Inspector’s main modifications and the second would be on the Sustainability Appraisal and Habitat Regulations Assessment Addendums, attached at appendices 4 and 5 to the report.

The Strategic Planning Manager provided further technical information relating to the proposal, and stated that: 

• Following the two stages of examination hearings, the Inspector’s main modifications were changes to the plan that were considered necessary for the plan’s soundness, in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework and was a standard part of the examination process, which the Council was still in;

• The main modifications did not change the overall direction of the plan, but there had been changes and updates to the plan’s supporting Habitat Regulations and Sustainability Appraisal documentation, resulting from the main modifications; these were provided through addendums attached as appendices 4 and 5 to the report. These documents would be consulted on through the second public consultation, and the representations made would be passed to the external consultants for consideration.

• The two public consultations would take place between Friday 29 October 2023, to Monday 13 November 2023, with the representations made being passed to the Inspector for consideration.

The primary themes and a summary of the main modifications, as contained in the report, were outlined. The consultation process would comply with the Council’s adopted Statement of Community Involvement, with supporting information to the consultation summarised. 

In response to comments from the Visiting Member, the Cabinet Member gave assurances that future policies, such as the Design and Sustainability Development Plan Document and the Town Centre Strategy, would be used to strengthen the Council’s existing policies and Local Plan Review. The Strategic Planning Manager outlined the requirement for Supplementary Planning Documents to be produced for key development locations within the plan, such as Lidsing and Heathlands Garden Communities.

During the discussion, the importance of infrastructure delivery to support housing development across the plan was strongly reiterated, to prevent situations where the non-delivery of infrastructure lead to heavily congested areas; such as on Willington Street, the Sutton Road and potentially the proposed Lidsing Garden Community. 

In response to a question, the Strategic Planning Manager confirmed that the Inspector’s main modifications could not be changed at this point, but that the consultation would provide an opportunity for comments to be made. The hierarchy in relation to affordable housing provision was outlined.

The Committee expressed support for consulting on the Inspector’s main modifications, as this would provide an opportunity for individuals and neighbouring authorities to comment on the proposals, which would then be considered at a later date. Support was expressed for the plan’s progression, in order to retain control over the development within the borough and prevent development by appeal.

RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to CABINET:

1.  That the schedule of proposed Main Modifications to the Maidstone Local Plan Review, in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of the report, be approved for public consultation, and;

2.  That the Sustainability Appraisal and Habitat Regulations Assessment Addendums of the Main Modifications to the Maidstone Local Plan Review, in Appendix 4 and Appendix 5 of the report, be approved for public consultation.