Inspector’s vision for housing plan
Government inspector Robert Mellor has delivered his final review on how house building should proceed in Maidstone – as set out in the town’s Local Plan – to the borough council.
The final version contains no surprises following the amendments suggested in his interim report in January, but does contain a number of variations from the plan as it was first put forward by Maidstone council.
Chief among them is the reduction of the overall housing target from 18,600 to 17,660. Some previously proposed sites have been excluded, including New Line Learning in Boughton Lane, and the former Syngenta site in Yalding.
Lenham is to take fewer homes than originally proposed, down from 1,500 to 1,000.
The inspector has recognised the problems with the capacity of the sewerage system around Headcorn and specified this must be addressed. He also specifically added to policies on medical care to allow for the expansion of the Brewer Street Surgery, Bower Mount Medical Centre, the Vine Medical Centre and other GP practices.
But some campaigners who sought to persuade the inspector to make more changes will be disappointed.
The controversial bus lane in Sutton Road remains an objective, and the opportunity for office and business development at Woodcut Farm near Junction 7 of the M20, is accepted.
He has also increased the minimum number of affordable housing units developers must provide, where there is an obligation, from five to 11.
Mr Mellor also said there should be a review of the plan, which is supposed to shape development in the area until 2031, after just another four years, at which time housing targets may need to be reassessed, he warned.
The full report can be viewed at: https://tinyurl. com/locplanexam