Latest news with #MaidstoneBoroughCouncil
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Reform councillor opposes Lenham Heath housing development
A newly-elected county councillor has publicly backed opponents of one of the biggest proposed house building schemes in for 5,000 new homes on Lenham Heath were approved by Maidstone Borough Council last year, when it was run by the the new Reform UK councillor for the area, Sarah Emberson, has spoken in support of the pressure group Save Our Heath Lands (SOHL) that is campaigning against the development. The government has pledged to build 1.5m homes across the UK and relax planning laws in an attempt to tackle the housing crisis. 'I want to protect the countryside' Renting or buying a home is a struggle for many in Kent and there is a shortage of affordable housing in parts of the county. The Heath Lands development is set to be built in stages, but would also include local amenities, schooling and a railway station. There are questions over how the rail station will be funded, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Ms Emberson, who lives in nearby Ashford, said: "I want to protect the countryside. I brought up my family here because I wanted them to enjoy green spaces and the quality of said she wanted to preserve the "county way of life... like a lot of people do.""We're only guardians of the countryside. This not our land – but when it's gone it's gone."
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Community sessions to discuss 2,000-home development
Two community sessions have been arranged for residents and businesses to share their ideas about a planned new housing development in Kent. Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has been advancing plans to build 2,000 new homes, and create the same number of jobs, as part of a new settlement in Lidsing, on the outskirts of Maidstone. The Lidsing Garden Settlement will be located north of the M2 motorway, adjacent to the Medway Council area. The development is also expected to provide a new primary school and medical facility by 2042, alongside cycling and walking links. Council leader Stuart Jeffery said: "The council is starting to prepare a supplementary planning document for Lidsing, which will be informed by the contributions from local people, businesses and organisations to help shape the future expectations for the site." The area was identified for major new development in the Local Plan Review 2021-2038, adopted by MBC in March 2024. An attempt by campaigners to halt its progress through judicial review was unsuccessful. A planning application will be submitted once a final supplementary planning document is adopted by MBC. The sessions will be held on 6 March between 15:00 and 21:00 GMT and on 10 March between 11:00 and 13:00 at Blacksmith's Barn in Bredhurst. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Campaigners lose bid to halt housing developments The new towns set to reshape Kent in 2025 Maidstone Borough Council
