Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review Adoption
The Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review 2021-2038 was adopted on 20 March 2024. It sets out the policies and plans to guide future development to 2038. The Policies within the Plan will be used to determine planning applications in the Borough. The Local Plan Review replaces the Maidstone Borough Local Plan (2017) however, some of the adopted Local Plan 2017 policies are still relevant and have been retained.
The Adoption Statement and background documents are available below:
Following receipt of the Planning Inspector's Final Report, a Habitat's Regulations Assessment Addendum was prepared.
The Local Plan Review and associated documents will be available to view at local libraries during their opening hours and at Maidstone House.
The Infrastructure Delivery Plan associated with the Local Plan Review 2021-2038 is located here.
For more information on the production of the Adopted Local Plan Review click here
These adopted plans make up our development plan for Maidstone
Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review Inspector’s Final Report
The Council received the Inspector's Final Report on 8 March 2024, following the Examination of the Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review. Receipt of the Inspector’s Report marks the end of the Examination.
The Inspector’s Final Report concludes that, subject to a number of Main Modifications set out in the Appendix to the report, the Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review 2021-2038 is sound, legally compliant and capable of adoption.
The Inspector’s Final Report, along with associated appendices, can be viewed below.
Local Plan Review Inspector’s Final Report
Local Plan Review Inspector’s Final Report – Main Modifications
Local Plan Review Inspector’s Final Report – Main Modifications Appendix 3
This consultation has now closed.
Representations resulting from the Local Plan Review Main Modifications Consultation 2023 were published on Wednesday 20th December 2023. All representations received have been uploaded and can be viewed below:
Schedule of Responses Received (including MM number and comment number)
Please use the comment number in this schedule to search for the original representation. Click on Responses to the Main Modifications link above, click on 'What People Say’ on the top left of the following page, and then insert the comment number next to the magnifying glass on the top right of the next page.
Habitats Regulation Assessment
The Local Plan Review was submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination on Thursday 31 March 2022. Information on the Local Plan Review examination can be found on our examination page which can be found here
Local plans must be consistent with national policy but can also take on board local planning issues that are important to Maidstone.
The adopted Maidstone Borough Local Plan provides a framework for development until 2031. It plans for homes, jobs, shopping, leisure and the environment, and provides infrastructure to support these. The plan was formally adopted at Full Council on 25 October 2017.
The Local Plan Review will ensure that the Local Plan remains up to date.
You can purchase a copy of the local plan online.
The Statement of Community Involvement 2020 sets out when and how stakeholders and the local community can get involved in the preparation of local plans, neighbourhood development plans and supplementary planning documents, and be involved in the process of decision making on planning applications.
There was a temporary addendum in relation to Covid 19 Temporary Addendum which can be viewed here. As restrictions have been lifted this addendum has now been revoked.
| Local Development Scheme 2023 – 2025: Addendum (February 2024) |
|---|
The Council is required to prepare a Local Development Scheme (LDS). A LDS sets out the timetable for the delivery and outline content of planning policy documents. The LDS 2023 - 2025 was approved by Full Council on 22nd February 2023 and took effect the same day. The LDS outlines the timetable for the Local Plan Review, Maidstone Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople DPD and Design and Sustainability DPD. Local Plan Review: The LDS timetable indicates Local Plan Review adoption in January 2024. Adoption of the Local Plan Review is anticipated approximately three months later than January 2024. The Council does not consider it appropriate to formally amend the Local Development Scheme to reflect this modest delay. Maidstone Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople DPD: With regard to the Maidstone Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople DPD the LDS is out of date. The LDS timetable indicates a Regulation 18b consultation taking place from February to March 2024. Evidence gathering ahead of a Regulation 18b consultation is currently ongoing. The Council is considering whether it is appropriate to formally amend the LDS in relation to the DPD.
Design and Sustainability DPD: With regard to the Design and Sustainability DPD the LDS is out of date. The LDS timetable indicates a Regulation 19 consultation taking place from September 2023. Work on the Regulation 19 consultation is ongoing. The Council is considering whether it is appropriate to formally amend the LDS in relation to the DPD. Once a revised timetable is approved, an updated LDS will replace the LDS 2023 – 2025. |
The document below details duty to cooperate with neighbouring authorities since the adoption of the Local Plan in 2017. This document will be updated on a regular basis as discussions continue.
Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) Update
Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) Update
Housing Trajectory with Annual Completions
Economic Development Needs Study (EDNS) Addendum 2021
Garden Settlements Economic Report
Maidstone Settlement Hierarchy Study Review FINAL 2021
Strategic Land Availability Assessment (SLAA) Update 2021
Habitat Regulations Assessment with Appropriate Assessment
Economic Development Topic Paper
Social Infrastructure Topic Paper
Retail and Leisure Topic Paper
Transport and Air Quality Topic Paper
Sports Facilities Strategy (SFS) Update
Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) Update
Agricultural Land Assessment Paper 2021
Maidstone Heritage Asset Assessment
Minerals and Waste Infrastructure Assessment
Climate Change, Biodiversity and Standards Paper
Water Environment Supplementary document
Maidstone LPR Consultation Statement
Local Plan Review Equalities Impact Assessment
Maidstone Viability Assessment
Integrated Transport Strategy (ITS) (September 2021)
Integrated Transport Strategy Addendum (September 2021)
Stage 2 Maidstone Local Plan - Local Plan Model Validation Report v1
Stage 2 Maidstone Local Plan - Initial Options Forecast Report (Option 1 Scenario)
Maidstone Local Transport Model - Mitigation and Sustainability Sensitivity Test
Maidstone Local Plan Review - Stage 2 Air Quality Report
Maidstone Local Transport Model - Option 2 Results
Leeds Langley Corridor (Responding to Local Plan 2017 Policy LPR1)
Heathlands Garden Settlement
Lidsing Garden Settlement
Maidstone Strategic Housing Market Assessment
Maidstone Economic Development Needs Study Stage One
Maidstone Economic Development Needs Study Stage Two
Draft Strategic Land Availability Assessment
Strategic Land Availability Assessment, Appendix A - Green Site Assessments
Strategic Land Availability Assessment, Appendix B - Red Site Assessments
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Level 1 update and Level 2
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Level 1 update and Level 2 Appendices
Integrated Transport Strategy indications
Transport Modelling Draft Technical Note
Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report
Sustainability Appraisal of the Topic Paper
Sustainability Appraisal of the Options for Spatial Strategy
Interim Sustainability Appraisal of Maidstone Local Plan Review Regulation 18b
Social Infrastructure Spatial Topic Paper
Retail and Leisure Spatial Topic Paper
Transport and Air Quality Spatial Topic Paper
Further to the evidence base listed above, the Local Plan Review refers to additional information that have been published previously. This information comes from various sources and includes the publications as listed below.
Landscape Character Assessment 2013
Draft Climate Change and Biodiversity Strategy 2020
Economic Development Strategy 2015
Parks and Open Space Strategy 2017
Metropolitan Green Belt Review 2016
Green & Blue Infrastructure Strategy
Integrated Transport Strategy 2011-31
Infrastructure Delivery Plan 2020
Kent Downs AONB Management Plan 2014-2019
The Sustainability Appraisal assessment process communicates significant sustainability issues and effects of emerging plans and policies. The appraisal informs the plan-making process by helping refine the contents of documents. This will help maximise the benefits of sustainable development to avoid or minimise adverse effects.
A Scoping Report has been produced to provide context and determine the scope of the Sustainability Appraisal. It sets out the assessment framework for undertaking the later stages of the Sustainability Appraisal.
The report has been published for consultation to the bodies of Historic England, Natural England and the Environment Agency. The consultation will run for 5 weeks between 4 February 2019 and 11 March 2019.
A Sustainability Appraisal of the Topic Paper Options has been produced to consider the four Spatial Approaches identified through the topic papers.
The Sustainability Appraisal of the Options for Spatial Strategy, Site Allocations and Garden Settlements appraises the overall strategy of the Local Plan Review and appraises the plan on a site by site basis. This underwent consultation in December 2020.
Interim Sustainability Appraisal of Maidstone Local Plan Review Regulation 18b assesses the draft regulation 18b Preferred Approaches consultation document.
MBC initially ran a call for sites exercise between March and May 2019. The purpose of the Call for Sites is to establish what land is potentially available in the Borough. The land that is submitted will form an important part of the evidence base that underpins the spatial pattern of development included in the Local Plan.
We cannot guarantee that sites submitted from 9th January 2021 will be processed for this Local Plan Review. Sites submitted from the 9th January 2021 may be considered as part of a future Local Plan Review.
For more information visit our Call for Sites page.
Between 19th July 2019 and 30th September 2019 we consulted on the Local Plan Review Scoping, Themes and Issues (Regulation 18a).
Click here to view the responses received for this public consultation.
The consultation on the Preferred Approaches (Regulation 18b) for the Local Plan Review opened on 1st of December 2020 and closed 8th of January 2021. The consultation document sets out the preferred spatial strategy for future development, proposed amendments to existing strategic and development management policies and new development management policies for the period 2022-2037.
The Local Plan Review – Preferred Approaches document (Regulation 18b) and supporting documents are available to view and download below:
Please note that there are corrections to this document that can be found below:
The publication of the representations for the Regulation 18b Preferred Approaches Consultation 2020 commenced on Wednesday 3rd March 2021. All representations received have now been uploaded and can be viewed here.
We cannot guarantee that sites submitted from 9th January 2021 will be processed for this Local Plan Review. Sites submitted from the 9th January 2021 may be considered as part of a future Local Plan Review.
A consultation on the Sustainability Appraisal accompanying the Regulation 18b Preferred Approach ran simultaneously.
The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes regulations (2004) requires that all Development Plan Documents are required to be subject to a Sustainability Appraisal. This is reiterated in the National Planning Policy Framework. The Sustainability Appraisal is required to consider and communicate the key sustainability issues and effects of emerging policies and any reasonable alternatives.
The Sustainability Appraisal is an iterative process which runs alongside the development of a plan and informs the ongoing decision-making process. The document being consulted on is a record of the appraisal work carried out to date.
The sustainability appraisal can be viewed here:
The consultation opened on Tuesday 1st December and will close at 5pm on Friday 8th January.
Click here to view the responses received to the Interim Sustainability Appraisal of Maidstone Local Plan Review Regulation 18b Consultation.
Please note: the responses recorded on the Objective Portal relating to the Interim Sustainability Appraisal Maidstone Local Plan Review are those made solely in response to that consultation. Other comments made on the Sustainability Appraisal through the Local Plan Review Regulation 18b Consultation responses have also been recorded but are not repeated here.
Habitats Regulation Assessment
A Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) is a distinct stage of assessment that are undertaken in accordance with the Conservation of Habitats and Species regulations 2017 (as amended) and the Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitat Species Regulations 2017 (as amended). The HRA determines, prior to adoption of a plan, whether it will affect protected features and habitat sites.
A HRA scoping was undertaken in June 2020, this was followed by a screening which was undertaken in November 2020.
Both the HRA scoping and screening can be found in the document linked below:
Alternative ways to access the consultation document.
The consultation document also has a read aloud function to assist access to it. This can be used via downloading the document as a PDF and opening it in Adobe Acrobat Reader. Once this has been done click view – read out loud – activate read out loud – then you can choose to read an individual page or the whole document.
Draft for Submission Local Plan consultation (Regulation 19)
The Borough Council has published the draft for submission version of its Local Plan review (also known as the Regulation 19 version). The Regulation 19 draft for submission document will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for Examination. It is the version that the council seek to adopt, subject to the examination and will replace the current Adopted Local Plan 2017.
The Local Plan Review sets out the proposed planning policies to guide development in the borough up to 2037.
The consultation on the draft for submission document opened at 9.00am on Friday 29 October 2021 and closed at 11.59pm on Sunday 12 December 2021. The draft for submission document, associated policies map and representation form can be downloaded using the links.
Local Plan Review Regulation 19 Response Form: Clarification
Following an enquiry from Councillors Mr and Mrs Sams, the initial paragraphs of the response form set out which fields are mandatory, therefore remaining fields are voluntary.
Sustainability Appraisal
The Maidstone Borough Council Local Plan Review: Regulation 19 draft for submission document was accompanied by a consultation on the accompanying Sustainability Appraisal. The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes regulations (2004) requires that all Development Plan Documents are to be subject to a Sustainability Appraisal. This is reiterated in the National Planning Policy Framework.
The Sustainability Appraisal is required to consider and communicate the key sustainability issues and effects of emerging policies and any reasonable alternatives. It is an iterative process which runs alongside the development of a plan and informs the ongoing decision-making process. The document being consulted on is the Sustainability Appraisal of the Maidstone Local Plan Review Regulation 19 Submission Consultation.
Representations resulting from the Local Plan Review Regulation 19 Draft for Submission Consultation 2021 were published on Friday 11th March 2022. All representations received have been uploaded and can be viewed here
If you would like to purchase a copy of the Local Plan Review draft for submission Regulation 19 here.
Between 29th September 2023 and 13th November 2023 we consulted on the Local Plan Review: Main Modifications, Sustainability Appraisal Addendum and Habitats Regulation Assessment Addendum.
Representations resulting from the Local Plan Review Main Modifications Consultation 2023 were published on Wednesday 20th December 2023. All representations received have been uploaded and can be viewed below: