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

LPRSP8: Smaller Villages.

  • 1. Within the Smaller Villages of Boughton Monchelsea, Boxley, Chart Sutton, Detling, Grafty Green, Hunton, Kingswood, Laddingford, Platt’s Heath, Stockbury, Teston, and Ulcombe, the council will resist the loss of local shops, community facilities and green spaces, whilst supporting new retail development, community services and green spaces to meet local need.
  • 2. Smaller Villages offer a limited opportunity for new plan-led development which can support the continued sustainability of the settlement. This is expected to come forwards through site allocations LPRSA360 (approximately 30 dwellings) and as a broad location development, in the last 10 years of the plan period. The quantities envisaged are:
    • a. 35 new units each at Chart Sutton, Laddingford, Kingswood, and Teston;
    • b. 25 new units at each of Boxley, Detling, Grafty Green, Hunton, Platt’s Heath, Stockbury and Ulcombe.
  • 3. Within the Smaller Villages small scale housing development in addition to the quantities set out under criterion (2) will be acceptable where all of the following apply:
    • a. The scale of the development is proportionate to the size of the settlement and the type and level of local services available;
    • b. The development design takes account of landscape impact having regard to the setting of the settlement within the countryside;
    • c. It can be linked to the retention or expansion of specific infrastructure or service assets within the settlement;
    • d. It has community support, either through a Neighbourhood Plan, or other Parish endorsement, for example as a Rural Exception Site; and where suitable access can be provided.
  • 4. Where it is apparent that smaller villages are not set to meet the specific allocation of residential units, the borough council, through a future review of the Local Plan, will allocate sites to make up the shortfall.

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