The review of the Maidstone Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination on Thursday 31 March 2022.
Inspector Mr David Spencer BA(Hons) DipTP MRTPI from the Planning Inspectorate has been appointed by the Secretary of State to carry out the independent Examination of the Local Plan.
The Inspector’s task is to consider the soundness of the submitted Plan and whether it has been prepared in accordance with the legal and procedural requirements.
Plans are sound if they are:-
Positively prepared – providing a strategy which, as a minimum, seeks to meet the area’s objectively assessed needs; and is informed by agreements with other authorities, so that unmet need from neighbouring areas is accommodated where it is practical to do so and is consistent with achieving sustainable development;
Justified – an appropriate strategy, taking into account the reasonable alternatives, and based on proportionate evidence;
Effective – deliverable over the plan period, and based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic matters that have been dealt with rather than deferred, as evidenced by the statement of common ground; and
Consistent with national policy – enabling the delivery of sustainable development in accordance with the policies in this Framework and other statements of national planning policy, where relevant.
The Inspector will hold an Examination in Public, probably in the autumn 2022. This is where the Council will be asked to explain their proposed plan, and it will be tested as to whether it meets the tests set out above.
Objectors/Supporters can attend these sessions and speak if they wish to.
If the Inspector agrees that the strategy is sound, the Council will then be able to adopt the plan.
Should the Inspector consider there to be significant flaws, they will either ask the Council to make modifications, or to withdraw the Plan – and effectively start again.
ALGD are fundraising to hire experts to challenge MBC's Local Plan. Please donate and share.
Cheques, payable to Bredhurst Parish Council, may also be sent to
Steve Hill, BPC Clerk, C/O Englefield, Dunn Street, Bredhurst, Gillingham, Kent. ME7 3LY. Please enclose your name and address.
Funds will be ringfenced and administered by Bredhurst Parish Council.
For further information on the Examination Process please use the links below to access the following documents:-
Planning Inspectorate’s Procedure Guidance for Local Plan Examinations (February 2022)):- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/examining-local-plans-procedural-practice
Planning Inspectorate’s short note for those taking part in examinations: (February 2022):- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/taking-part-in-local-plan-examinations
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