2 Maidstone Borough Council
Welcome from Alison Broom, Chief Executive
Thank you to everyone who responded to our budget consultation in October and November last year
about the priorities for council services. We are using this feedback about what matters most to you and information about demand for our services to decide how to use the council’s resources over the next 12 months.
In 2017 the Council, working in partnership with other organisations, will continue to provide a wide range of services with improved efficiency – and we will focus on achieving three results in particular – a home for everyone, a safe and clean environment and regeneration of our town centre.
Building enough quality homes that people can afford is paramount. Our Local Plan defines how many new homes are needed and where they can be built. It has now been tested through public examination with a government inspector and the interim report we have received looks very promising. The Council will work with private developers and housing associations as well as building homes itself again. We will improve existing homes so that they meet decent standards for example through grants to improve heating and provide items like ramps and rails where these are needed. Support for those in the most acute need - who are at risk of becoming homeless or have nowhere to live - will be improved by reducing the time spent in temporary accommodation and the cost for each family supported.
Local Plan Update
Maidstone’s current local plan, the Maidstone Borough Wide Local Plan, was adopted in 2000. Lots of things have changed since then so we’re working on a new plan to replace it, which will be called the Maidstone Borough Local Plan.
The 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.
distributing the housing provision across the borough as well as maximising all existing transport infrastructure.
How is the plan progressing?
An interim report has been produced by the inspector (Mr Robert Mellor) from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
Cllr David Burton, Chairman of the Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transport Committee, said: “Overall the Council is very pleased with the Inspector’s interim findings which endorse the approach taken to
“When calculating the housing need a number of matters were considered, including housing prices and delivery rates. The Inspector has concluded that the included uplift of 900 homes between 2011 and 2031 to address affordability would not necessarily have the desired effect so has proposed that the housing figure be reduced accordingly to 17,660.
What happens next?
A final hearing is due to take place to consider outstanding matters before the Inspector issues his main modifications required to make the plan sound. These will then be the subject of a six week consultation period before the plan is found sound and adopted.
“Throughout the hearings the Inspector has considered the views of the public, the development industry and significant others, as well as appeal decisions regarding a number of sites in the borough. It was found that two sites on Boughton Lane should be deleted because specific solutions to traffic congestion at key junctions had not been forthcoming. One of these sites (New Line Learning) is the subject of a re-opened public inquiry.
“We are pleased to be able to say that we are much closer to adopting the Local Plan and look forward to receiving the final report from the Inspector.”
Maidstone is an attractive place to live and visit – a place that we can all be proud of. We will redouble our efforts to keep our streets, parks and open spaces clean and tidy and our residents safe as our communities grow and the number of people visiting the borough increases. Improvements are planned for Week Street, Gabriels Hill and Mote Park.
Regeneration of Maidstone town centre is gaining momentum and over the last year we have laid the foundations for redevelopment of several key sites through capital investment of New Homes Bonus including the area around Maidstone East. We are looking forward to station improvements over the next year and developing plans for the wider area – so watch this space for your opportunity to get involved.
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