Issue - meetings

1.  Petition – Allocation of Housing Sites – Lenham

2.  Petition – Future Housing Development – Headcorn

Members considered the Reference from Council which set out details of two Petitions that were presented at the meeting regarding the Allocation of Housing Sites in Lenham and Future Housing Development in Headcorn. 

Allocation of Housing Sites, Lenham

Rob Jarman, the Head of Planning and Development advised Members that he hoped to report back to both Cabinet and Planning, Transport and Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee in January 2015 to deal with the issues raised in the Petition.

He stressed that the 1,500 homes issue form part of a broad location within the draft Local Plan which would not be considered until the latter part of the plan (in the years 2026 – 2031).  It was envisaged that a review would take place in 2021 on whether or not these houses would  still be required and or that numbers could be reduced.

It was emphasised that a lot of consideration would be given to the highway transport modelling system, using VISUM software technology and great regard would be given to the surrounding conservation area, listed buildings and protection of the North Downs views.

It was also noted that that the Council had been meeting with Parish Councils and Residents Associations and other organisations to discuss the draft Local Plan.

Future Housing Development – Headcorn

It was noted that unlike Lenham, it was not proposing a broad location for housing at Headcorn.  Officers carry out individual site assessments and would be undertaking a culminative assessment and further highway transport modelling would be carried out.

Officers would be meeting with KCC Education to discuss whether the current Primary School could accommodate additional children which would be brought about by additional development or whether an alternative site could be identified where a new school could be built.

RESOLVED:  That the Petitions and the comments made at the Council meeting be noted and that Officers report back in January 2015 recommending amendments to draft housing site allocations.