The Future of Maidstone Special supplement, October 2020


Staplehurst and Detling not selected


Continued from page 2


how any bypass could play a role in its comprehensive redevelop- ment, there is some merit in its further consideration”. l NORTH OF MARDEN This proposal is promoted by DHA Planning on behalf of Country- side Developments for a strategic garden expansion of around 2,000 dwellings and associated school, health, retail and open space fa- cilities. The site is on the north edge of the village, north of the railway line and Stantec say it has a good relationship with the adja- cent industrial estate and sport fa- cilities. There are historic farmsteads on


the site perimeter. It is in Staple- hurst Low Weald character area of higher landscape sensitivity and mitigation is proposed.


A229 capacity KCC says there are suitable ac-


cess proposals, but the capacity of the A229 would need to be tested. There is a commitment to im- prove bus provision with a ser- vice to Maidstone. It is next to the main line rail station and a new station car park is proposed to the north. The 2% of the site in the flood plane would be open space. Stantec says the developers


have done considerable work and envisage delivery from 2023/4 at about 150 units a year, with three or four outlets across the site. Pol- icy compliant affordable housing is an achievable aspiration “There do not appear to be any show- stopping issues or abnormal costs, which mean it is likely to be viable and benefits should be re- alised for the village. The following proposals have not been selected by consultants: l BINBURY PARK, DETLING The proposal by Quinn Estates is for between 1,750-4,000 dwellings


and associated employment, com- munity facilities and open space. This is at and around the former Detling Aerodrome, using land on the plateau surrounding the industrial estate.


It seeks to provide benefits to


the county showground and sig- nificant improvements to J7 of the M20 and upgrades along the A249. The consultants say there is one big issue – the site is entirely within the North Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). National policy requires development ought to be limited and major development only per- mitted in exceptional circum- stances. The council needs to consider if there is scope to meet need in some other way. Despite its AONB status, this


site is supported by many Maid- stone councillors. l NORTH OF STAPLEHURST Staplehurst Low Weald is as- sessed as ‘high overall landscape sensitivity’. Housing develop- ment would be limited to within and immediately adjacent to ex- isting settlements and farmsteads. “Extensive large scale or visually intrusive development would be inappropriate.” l PAGEHURST FARM Land- scape sensitivity is seen as high in a 72-hectare area of mainly arable farmland at Marden Road, Sta- plehurst. Housing development of 1,500/2,000 units is limited to within and immediately adjacent to existing settlements and farm- steads. Part is a local wildlife site. There is potential for historic buildings on the site to be im- pacted in this Staplehurst Low Weald landscape character area. Consultants question how the site could offer a good range of em- ployment opportunities minimis- ing the need for travel.


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Marden is a centre of the Weald. It would expand massively to the north. Many residents object and have formed an active opposition group


Making plans for economic growth


THE council is considering es- tablishing new areas for eco- nomic growth. It is confident that enough suitable land is available across the borough to meet employ- ment needs and the main choice now is where growth should be located.


One option is to focus em- ployment workspace in new garden settlements. This brings jobs to rural areas and close to housing, supporting a sustain- able pattern of growth. In addition, office renaissance


is to be considered in the town centre. It would not necessarily be floorspace in the traditional sense, but focused on newer ways of working, such as ser- vices offices and co-working space. An economic report


adds: “The ability to rent high-quality


office space, meeting rooms or reception/concierge services on an ad-hoc basis accommodates more modern working practices such as remote/home working and provides professional solu- tions to smaller start-up busi- nesses too.


“Locating such office space close to rail links to/from Lon- don further encourages busi- nesses to locate in the town centre.


This could come at the ex- pense of other uses such as resi- dential and retail. It may require more intensive and higher den- sity town centre office develop- ments.


The council will also con-


sider maximising employment floorspace allocations in a spe- cific strategic locations at M20 (J8). There is already an alloca- tion at Woodcut Farm.


A boomtown for business


MAIDSTONE is the place for new business start-ups. A higher propor- tion of the resident population sets up new businesses in the borough than elsewhere in the UK. They also enjoy healthy levels of survival over early years of trading. The five-year survival rate in Maidstone (45.4%) is better than any- where in the UK, a Lichfields analysis shows.


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