Decision details

The report of the Head of Planning and Development related to progress on the examination of the Local Plan was considered.

Members noted the issues raised in the hearings to date which included strategic matters, legal compliance and duty to co-operate, housing needs (whether the figure was too high or too low).  Other issues considered were windfalls, broad locations as well as the strategic development underway in the south-east of Maidstone.  The November sessions would consider in more detail the allocated sites as well as hearing from landowners and agents who would be promoting sites not currently allocated in the submitted plan.

A Visiting Member addressed the Committee to advise of the difficulties he had had in applying to speak at the hearing.  It was noted that his  submission had been mis-categorised as ITS, when it was for the Local Plan.  Once he brought the matter to the attention of Officers, he was given a slot to speak.

Officers acknowledged that an error had occurred but gave assurances that a check had been done to ensure no other submission had been batched into the wrong category.

RESOLVED:  That the update on progress with the examination of the Local Plan be noted.