Bredhurst Parish Council regrets to inform you that the Planning Inspector has concluded that the Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review is ‘sound’ subject to numerous main modifications being incorporated. This means the Inspector has given the go ahead for the development of 2000 houses at Lidsing. Please find a copy of the Inspector’s report attached (appendices available on request).

The development at Lidsing will not start for at least four years as there are many policies and modifications that must be agreed before work commences. This means that although the principle of the development at Lidsing has been agreed, our barrister who has been very critical of the Lidsing proposal, will examine the Inspector’s report and advise us on the further action we can take. The Local Plan detrimentally affects many villages, and we will be working with other Parish Councils who are also seeking legal advice to fight the proposals.

The Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development Policy Advisory Committee (PIED) will meet on Monday 18 March to review the Local Plan which will then be discussed at Cabinet on Tuesday. The final vote as to whether Maidstone Borough Council adopts the Local Plan will be at a meeting of the Full Council on Wednesday 20 March.

We need your help. There will be a public protest on Wednesday 20 March at 5.45pm outside the Town Hall in Maidstone. Please come along with your family and friends so that the Councillors will see the strength of feeling against the Local Plan as they arrive for the meeting.

You may also lobby every Maidstone Borough Councillor by emailing your views to them by Tuesday 19 March. Email addresses are attached.