Hundreds of people came to a public meeting on Thursday evening, hosted by me and Helen Grant, to give residents their say on Maidstone’s draft Local Plan.
The Local Plan sets out a vision for the development of Maidstone Borough over the next 15 years, including 18,500 new homes and a business park beside Junction 8 of the M20.
The fact that so many people took the trouble to turn out on such a cold night sends a strong message in its own right. There’s so much unhappiness about this plan. I listened to all the points made, and it was good to hear people make the case for building new homes alongside all the concerns raised.
Everyone recognises that we need development, both housing and employment sites. The point is to get the plan right – the right level of development, in the right places, and together with investment in infrastructure like schools, health centres and roads.
I am particularly concerned about the intention to build such a large share of houses in the rural areas, where there isn't the infrastructure. I also understand how worried people are about development in small, ancient villages, how it will effect their historic character and the problem of one village being joined up to another, or to Maidstone itself.
It cannot be right to build thousands of new houses without a substantial investment in roads, when there is already such a problem with traffic. The plans for road improvements are merely tinkering at the edges, compared to KCC’s forecast 40% increase in delays to drivers.
My views on development at Junction 8 of the M20 and the negative effect it will have on the nearby Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Grade I listed Leeds Castle are well known. I continue to oppose development in that area.
The current consultation on the plan is open until Friday 18 May on the Council’s website, and I urge everyone to have their say.
