Policy information sourced from the Maidstone Borough Council Local Plan 2021-2038

LPRSP4(B): Lidsing Garden Community.

The council will work with the promoter to produce an agreed Supplementary Planning Document to masterplan and facilitate the site’s delivery. The following criteria must be met in addition to other policies of this Local Plan:

1. Phasing and Delivery

  • Starting no later than 2028
Phasing and Delivery
PhaseDevelopmentIndicative Complementary Infrastructure
PreliminaryN/AAccess routes into
development site
Utility infrastructure
capacity
• Community engagement
established and will be
Ongoing.
• Subject to Transport
Assessment and Monitor
and Manage Strategy,
implement delivery of other
supporting transport
infrastructure that is
necessary for this stage,
including off-site junction
mitigations.
(Phase 1) From which start date will be no later than 2028Cumulative total: circa 590 homes (in first 5 years after commencement)• Primary connections into
the site and corresponding
initial bus diversions
• National Landscape – the
structural planting to south
of the Lidsing development
area (adjacent to the
motorway) will be approved
as part of the SPD and later
outline/hybrid application
and this strategic
landscaping shall be planted
within this period.
• Detailed approval of the
mix of employment uses,
building height and design
shall be in place in line with
the SPD.
• Open space
complementary to the 590
completed units in this
phase to be delivered.
• Proportionate secondary
school contributions
received.
• During this stage the
West-East link road will be
completed and will facilitate
the full orbital bus route.
• Subject to Transport
Assessment and Monitor
and Manage Strategy,
implement delivery of other
supporting transport
infrastructure that is
necessary for this stage,
including off-site junction
mitigations.
(Phase 2) From 2033 to 2038Housing completions average 150 per annum;
New Local Centre		• Completion of the M2 J4
spur, with possible interim
utilisation of existing
Maidstone Road bridge
crossing to allow the
employment development
to commence early in this
stage.
• Subject to Transport
Assessment and Monitor
and Manage Strategy,
implement delivery of off-
site mitigations in Bredhurst
and Boxley following
consultation with local
communities.
• Towards the end of the
stage and as necessitated
by demand opening of
replacement bridge
crossing.
• Ancient woodland
enhancement secured
• Proportionate Secondary
school contribution received
• 3FE Primary school land
transferred and serviced for
3FE primary. Contributions
to construct will be secured
by Section 106 agreement
in each phase.
• Capstone Valley North-
South open space/
pedestrian enhancement
completed
• Open space
complementary to the
completed residential units
• Employment site
commenced; Land transferred and
serviced for new medical
facility for GP surgery to be
provided.
• Subject to Transport
Assessment and Monitor
and Manage Strategy,
implement delivery of the
supporting transport
infrastructure that is
necessary for this stage,
including off-site junction
mitigations.
By 2038Cumulative total: Minimum 1,340 homes;
14ha serviced employment site delivered		• M2J4 National Landscape
mitigation for the 19ha of
land to the south of the M2
completed
• Open space
complementary to
completed residential units
delivered and meeting wider
SPD phasing.
(Phase 3) By 2042Cumulative total: circa 2,000 homes• Open space
complementary to
completed residential units
delivered and meeting wider
SPD phasing
• All of proportionate
secondary school
contributions received.
  • A mix of sizes of land parcels should be provided to enable development by a range of types and sizes of developers;
  • Ensure that environmental mitigations are delivered in advance of construction, and that requisite infrastructure is ready to operate upon occupation.

2. Housing

  • 2,000 new homes in total, including 1,340 units within the plan period up to 2038;
  • A target of 40% affordable housing;
  • Range of housing typologies based on the council’s latest Strategic Housing Market Assessment, including across tenure, mix of sizes of units, including for generational living.

3. Masterplanning and Design Parameters

  • Development will be based on the Masterplan vision framework plan (Figure 6.5);
  • Development will proceed in accordance with a detailed design code agreed between the Local Planning Authority and promoter;
  • Development of the site will be landscape-led to ensure that there are positive enhancements to the Capstone Valley and Kent Downs National Landscape setting;
  • The overall utility of the Capstone Valley will be significantly enhanced including for recreation;
  • The development will create a positive outfacing edge when viewed from the Medway urban area including Lordswood and Hempstead and the National Landscape to the south;
  • Appropriate interfaces will be created with existing buildings which will be retained on and around the site to protect their significance;
  • Design will reflect how the settlement’s shape is configured with regards to its relationship to the Medway urban area, as well as the National Landscape and Bredhurst;
  • The balance of land south of the M2 that is not used for highway infrastructure will be utilised for green infrastructure, including areas for public access, the details of which will be developed through the SPD masterplanning processes. Planning permission will be granted if the following criteria are met, and the submission is in accordance with the approved SPD:
    • The development proposals for employment uses will not exceed a total floorspace of 42,000 sqm and will respect the topography of the site by minimising the need for site excavation;
    • Landscape buffers of at least 15 metres will be established along the site’s boundary to the M2 motorway and the future management of landscaped areas will be secured by Section 106agreement;
    • A landscaped setting for the development and roads will be created alongside a strong internal landscaping framework within the employment development zones adjacent to the M2. These landscaped corridors will be multifunctional to create drainage and ecological corridors and recreational connections which will be developed through the Supplementary Planning Document. This will include a green bridge connection across the motorway;
    • The maximum footprint of commercial buildings within theidentified employment area shall not individually exceed 600m2. The commercial building ridge heights shall not exceed 9 metres within the employment development zone (LCZ4);
    • The employment buildings adjoining the M2 motorway shall stagger their siting with the majority of buildings sited “gable end on” to the motorway to increase the sense of separation between buildings and reduce the massing of the built form when viewed from the south;
    • The development proposals for employment buildings will through matters of detailing including lighting, materiality, siting of buildings and positioning of parking areas, alongside strategic and internal landscaping will ensure the development respects the sites visual and physical relationship with the Kent Downs National Landscape to the south of the M2 motorway and this will be developed through the Supplementary Planning Document;
    • Residential properties located nearest the National Landscape boundary shall be appropriate in height so as not to detrimentally impact the setting on the Kent Downs National Landscape. In the areas closest to the M2 within the zones referenced LCZ3and4 the building height would not exceed two storeys unless following a full LVIA assessment and taking into account the character area assessment and testing as part of the progression of the SPD it was considered appropriate to increase the height of selective buildings within this zone where agreed with the LPA and Kent Downs National Landscape Unit;
    • Residential densities will generally reduce toward the M2 motorway as informed by a master planning character area assessment and LVIA findings.

4. Employment/Commercial

  • Development should exceed 2,000 new jobs as feasible and viable due to the area’s excellent connectivity to the Strategic Road Network;
  • 14 hectares of new employment space will be created, focused on the improved motorway access;
  • A new Local centre of no less than 1,500m2 of retail, leisure and services will be created, strategically located on a new orbital bus route with good access to employment, Hempstead, and Lordswood.

5. Infrastructure

  • A bespoke infrastructure funding agreement based on the value captured from the development, expected to be higher than that which would ordinarily be captured using a borough CIL approach, and should be spent on infrastructure locally, and in the surrounding areas where suitable;
  • A new 3FE primary school within or adjacent to the local centre, and a contribution towards the creation of new secondary capacity in the Capstone Valley area;
  • A comprehensive set of local infrastructure commensurate with a new community of 2,000 new homes, principally focused on the new local centre including a new medical facility;
  • A full suite of open space will be delivered in accordance with policy LPRINF1. This would indicatively comprise the provision of open space typologies below, with further detail to be progressed through the SPD:
    • 3.33 hectares Amenity green space;
    • 1.19 hectares play space;
    • 7.6 hectares sports provision;
    • 0.95 hectares of allotments;
    • 31 hectares natural/semi natural open space.

6. Transport Connections

Prior to the first occupation of any floorspace or units on the development of a ‘Vision and Validate’ and ‘Monitor and Manage Strategy’ shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority, in consultation with National Highways and KCC Highways. Thereafter, the approved framework shall be implemented until full completion of the development unless otherwise agreed by the Local Planning Authority, in consultation with National Highways and KCC Highways.

  • A new connection to the M2 at Junction 4 will be created, enabling improved connections across the Capstone Valley and into Medway;
  • A new bus service;
    • linking Lordswood and Hempstead, and linking to the Medway town centres;
    • serving Boxley and Bredhurst, including exploring the potential for diversion through the site;
  • New half-hourly bus services to be provided between the site and Chatham via North Dane Way;
  • Cycling and Walking links throughout the site, and strategically north-south along the Capstone Valley and into the wider Medway area will be created;
  • Priority, through design, throughout the site for vulnerable road users and active travel modes;
  • Measures to prevent rat-running in local roads, including through Bredhurst and Boxley; and
  • Routes identified as sites for potential mitigations will be subject to further assessment, and this will be undertaken via the Supplementary Planning Document and prior to any initial planning application. The assessment will include consideration of mitigations in Boxley, Bredhurst and on the A229 and A249 corridors as well as at M2 Junction 3 in accordance with the Monitor and Manage process set out in the IDP. Off-site highway improvements, some of which may be necessary in the Medway area, will be subject to further assessment and delivered in accordance with the development phasing provisions set out in (1)(a) above.

7. Environmental

  • A climate change adaptions and mitigation strategy based on national and local guidelines;
  • A minimum of 20% biodiversity net gain will be expected to be delivered on site;
  • There are several areas of potential archaeological sensitivity across the site, and these should be surveyed and development should respond to their significance and be informed by a heritage Impact Assessment;
  • Sustainable drainage methods are implemented to manage surface water flooding issues and ensure that flood risk is not exacerbated elsewhere including a site-wide Flood Risk Assessment will berequired;
  • Noise, and drainage and light pollution mitigation measures are integrated within the design;
  • The development area has a rich and diverse heritage which presents unique opportunities and constraints. It will be important that key parts of the site are carefully designed to ensure appropriate conservation and enhancement of heritage assets to the benefit of the garden village community; their awareness, understanding and enjoyment of the special historic environment here. Heritage assets to be responded to within the site include site of a 20th century military balloon installation;
  • A financial contribution shall be made to mitigate recreational impact on the Medway Estuary and Marshes SPA and Ramsar;
  • Site design and layout shall be informed by a sensitive response to local historic assets and landscapes and appropriate buffering to ancient woodland and/or veteran trees; and
  • Development proposals must demonstrate that the Lidsing garden community, either alone or in combination with other relevant plans and projects, will avoid adverse effects on the integrity of the North Downs Woodlands SAC, due to air quality, with reference to policy LPRSP14(A). Mitigation measures will be required where necessary and appropriate.

8. Governance arrangements will be set out identifying how

  • The 30-year vision will be fulfilled;
  • The settlement will be community-managed;
  • Maintenance of infrastructure, urban realm, and open spaces will be carried out;
  • Roles for utilities and infrastructure operators;
  • Revenues from development will be recycled within the site to meet the above requirements; and
  • To ensure that key infrastructure such as public transport can be delivered in a timely manner as the settlement grows, including consideration of risks and actions to maintain their viability and deliverability.

For more information, please visit Maidstone’s Local Plan Maidstone Borough Council Local Plan 2021-2038