New homes: another rise on the cards
This was a red letter day for the myriad towns and villages in the borough.
The decision means there is now an agreed framework for development until 2031 and the policies within the plan will be used to make decisions on planning applications.
The earmarked developments promise new jobs, infrastructure and the much anticipated “affordable” housing.
But opponents see the plan as an imposition which will change their communities beyond recognition – destroying a pristine countryside and placing added strain on public services.
It is an open secret that the proposed 17,000 new homes are just the beginning of a longer-term vision. The Department of Communities and Local Government is already consulting on proposals to raise building targets to tackle the shortfall of new homes.
Maidstone council says it needs to build 883 homes each year; the government wants to raise this to 1,236 until 2026 – or 7,000 extra. The Local Plan locks in the building target until the next review, expected to take place in 2021.
Cllr David Burton, chairman of strategic planning, sustainability and transportation committee, said: “I believe our Local Plan gives the best chance of certainty until at least 2021 and will give us the best set of tools to refuse unwanted opportunistic applications.
“Most importantly it contains the opportunity for improvement and revision of policies and allocations through the review process for a plan post 2021.”