Developers are in the driving seat
Editor News editor The direction of travel for our new Local Plan was set by a ‘call for sites’ exercise, placing developers in the driving seat from day one.
As a result, local people and their elected representatives, had little influence on the shape of future growth.
Using the government’s proposed new housing formula, Maidstone council must identify the land to accommodate between a minimum of 3,530 and maximum of 4,589 new homes, all over and above our current 17,660 target. A change of national government is unlikely to alter this upward trajectory.
Despite the scale of housebuilding in Hermitage Lane, Sutton Road and our villages, many of the biggest developments planned are yet to come. These include 1,000 new houses at Lenham, 500 (rising to 1,350) at Invicta Barracks and another 940 shoehorned into the town centre. Identifying land to accommodate thousands more houses will inevitably be divisive, but must not be left to the vested interests who will actually profit from future development.
Perhaps, the Kent Messenger could initiate a conversation on broad locations for new housing? The views of residents, amenity groups, the county council, local businesses, MPs and other elected representatives could all be publicly canvassed, and hopefully some consensus reached.
Surely, a constructive dialogue on future growth is preferable to sniping from the side-lines, political posturing and unrealistic nimby positions? Tony Harwood, Maidstone borough councillor for North Ward I wish to respond and add comments following the letter from the chairman of East Malling and Larkfield parish council David Thornewell. As chairman of Boxley Parish Council I endeavour to guide my authority in contributing to the current debate in a sensible, logical manner guided by the weight of public opinion but tempered by the realisation more houses do need to be build. The overriding problem however is the current infrastructure is just not capable of taking the extra houses and I await any concrete and sensible proposals being put forward as to how we improve it to the benefit of all the residents and extremely frustrated and sometimes very angry motorists.
Today I had the unfortunate experience of being witness to a minor accident on Blue Bell Hill caused I feel to a great extent by the sheer volume of traffic on our roads.
We hear much in your press about the major problems in the south of the borough but I can speak for many thousands of motorists who have to put up with horrendous traffic problems in on and around Junction 3 of the M2 that will become a nightmare once the proposed new housing in Medway becomes a reality. My parishioners have to be late for work on an almost daily basis – or are prepared to get up and leave home extremely early to avoid the jams. More weight must start to be given now to local public opinions and views.
Some time ago we discussed at length if we should create and adopt a Local Plan for Boxley Parish. We ultimately decided against doing so and recent events where Local Plans have been ignored have made us realise by not doing so we have saved parishioners a lot of money on wasted plans.
Why are local parishes encouraged to spend time and money preparing these when they are being totally ignored? Please can local authorities start to listen of superfast broadband and shared with him the persistent concerns of many of my rural constituents. I have also asked him to provide an update on how the government plans to ensure superfast broadband is available to everyone.
Please do continue to let me know about your personal broadband difficulties. I am very happy to bring your individual concerns to the attention of your provider, or to the government, and do what I can to bring about improvements.