Issue - meetings

Mrs Sarah Lee, Principal Planning Officer (Strategic Planning), introduced the report.  Mrs Lee stated that the proposal to introduce a new standard methodology for calculating local housing need figures created uncertainty at a key point in the Maidstone Borough Council Local Plan Review.  The proposed response reasserted that the current standard method was beneficial as it provided certainty.  Furthermore, the percentage cap, which limited the increase in figures was helpful, however, this cap could be lower.

Mr Jarman outlined to the Committee that numerous factors would influence the success of new housing delivery in Maidstone.  These factors included differentiating the type of available housing, the emphasis on good quality design and ensuring that infrastructure was built alongside housing rather than at a later date.

The Committee recognised that a long-term view needed to be taken on potential development sites.  Although smaller sites were quicker to deliver, it was important that these sites were not exhausted to achieve targets in the short term.  Instead, a combination of smaller and larger sites should be used to ensure that a sustainable approach was taken.

RESOLVED: That the responses set out in Appendix 1 be agreed as this Council’s response to the technical consultation on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and National Planning Practice Guidance.

Voting: Unanimous