Relief over planning guidance
MAIDSTONE Council has re- acted with relief to the release of theGovernment’s National Plan- ning Policy Framework (NPPF). Last autumn, planning offi-
cers and borough councillors were horrified that the draft document proposed that all councils should be willing to allow a 20% increase in new homes above existing targets. In what was described as a “developers’ charter” and a document “not fit for purpose”, the councilwas also concerned that only the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) would be protected, and that large amounts of un- designated countryside else- where in the borough would be vulnerable to development. But the Government’s pub-
lished document, which has re- duced 1,300 pages of guidance to just 59, has allayed these fears: Brownfield land: The draft document encouraged building on greenfield land, but the pub- lished guidance emphasises that brownfield land remains the first priority for new devel- opments. Undesignated open country- side:Will be protected in a sim- ilar way as it is now. The draft document presumed in favour of sustainable development
Rural concerns THE one downside, according to the council, is that it may be eas- ier to build large houses in the countryside, providing some kind of development already exists. Developers will have a better chance of bringing disused agri- cultural buildings into residential use. The council’s head of planning, Rob Jarman, said: “One of the charms of the countryside is that you don’t just have pristine neo- Georgian properties. You have ramshackle properties as well. It’s a nice mixture. “It is a shame that a lot of disused buildings could be converted into modern housing.”
without defining sustainability. Designated countryside:. AONBs and National Park will be protected, and there will be better protection for ancient woodland, according to Cllr Clive English, who believes that developments such as the Ash- ford Drive affordable housing scheme in Kingswood, which
was contentiously accepted three years ago, would not get the go-ahead under the new guidance. 20% “contingency” for new homes: Has now been removed. Local authorities will define housing targets in local plans. Gypsy provision: In a sepa- rate document released on the
same day as the NPPF, greater weight was given to protecting the countryside over the needs of travellers. Previously, gypsies had been given favour under Circular 01/06. However, this change will only apply if the local authority has its own gypsy policy. The earliest time Maidstone Council anticipates having a gypsy policy is 2015 when the Development Plan Document (DPD) is published. Cllr English said: “I am a lot happier with this guidance than when we had the draft.” However, the speed in which
the council can adopt a new DPD is crucial to protect the borough against unwanted de- velopments. He added: “Anything not cov-
ered by the NPPF requires the council to fill in the gaps.”
Cricketer Jack knows the score
JACK Foley (80), has been honoured by Kent Cricket Club now he has retired after 25 years as the honorary scorer. Jack, of Runnymede Gardens, Loose, is only the 14th to be
made an honorary life member. His lifetime in cricket started at Maidstone Grammar School
and he kept wicket for several clubs, including Gore Court (Sit- tingbourne). He was well-known operating score boxes around the Kent grounds until he moved into scoring. Jack, who spent 40 years working in insurance, and wife Eu- nice celebrate their diamond wedding this June.
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