Helen Whately

Iam very worried about Maidstone’s Local Plan. I have urged Maidstone council and the Planning Inspector himself to make changes, but they have just steamrollered on. That’s why I have written to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government asking him to personally intervene.

Leeds Castle is a national treasure – so development around Junction 8 is not just a local question.

Industrial buildings or offices on the approach to the castle would change the experience for visitors.

So many people and organisations object to development at Junction 8, and applications nearby have been rejected time and again. There is lots of evidence other places would be better suited to a business park but I’m not convinced MBC has fully looked at the alternatives. I’m astounded the site is included in the plan, but it is, so I will keep on fighting against it.

Then there’s housing: we absolutely need more locally, but the council keeps on approving huge developments without proper investment in infrastructure. Traffic is already a nightmare in and around Maidstone. The Local Plan does not include enough investment in the road network. We need developer contributions to fund significant schemes like a Leeds-Langley Relief road but at the moment, that’s not happening.

The plan sets out development for the next 15 years, so it’s vital we get