Planning and Development

KCC reports on the future of Kent

29 June 2018 0 Comments

A report into what the future could hold for the county and how it will handle the growth in population and new homes has been published by Kent County Council.

The Kent and Medway Growth and Infrastructure Framework (GIF) helps KCC, Medway Council, local planning authorities and the government understand what services and infrastructure are required to support that growth.

The GIF provides a picture of planned growth across Kent and Medway to 2031, as well as starting to examine the challenges and opportunities likely to face Kent and Medway to 2050.

Kent and Medway is expected to see 396,300 new people, 178,600 new homes and 170,300 new jobs with a total infrastructure cost of more than £16 billion.

The report also shows a 14.3% increase in the number of vehicles on major roads in Kent between 2006 and 2016 and an increase of 42% in people using trains in the past 10 years.

As the county continues to grow, pressure increases on the existing infrastructure, and the GIF highlights the challenges to Government, infrastructure providers, district councils, parish councils, local communities, Kent and Medway businesses and developers.

KCC Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste Mike Whiting said: “Kent and Medway are embracing growth. We recognise the benefits business and housing growth brings to the county in terms of new jobs, new facilities, and new communities.

“New approaches are required to secure the additional public and private investment needed and the GIF includes a forward-thinking action plan to begin to close the investment gap.“However, the GIF makes it clear that the current mechanisms in place for the planning, funding and delivery of infrastructure are not sufficient for accommodating the level of growth planned for Kent and Medway.

“Over the coming year, we will be looking to develop a GIF Implementation Plan to take forward these actions.

“The GIF identifies a shortfall in meeting the infrastructure costs associated with housing growth up to 2031. With only 76% of the infrastructure cost either secured or expected, the county is left with a funding gap of £3.96 billion.”

Since the original GIF was published in September 2015, the authorities and infrastructure providers across Kent and Medway have worked collaboratively to secure £120 million of Local Growth Funding from central government for a range of schemes.

  • There is a commitment from government to deliver a new Lower Thames Crossing, with identification of significant private sector interest in its financing.
  • Government support and funding in excess of a million for Otterpool Park Garden Town.
  • Since 2015, £121,449,009 has been secured for KCC services through section 106 planning contributions.
  • Over two years, 15,068 new homes have been built in Kent and Medway (2015/16-2016/17).

Kent County Council  27 June 2018
https://kccmediahub.net/kcc-reports-future-kent745

Kent County Council, News, Planning and Development

New rules on multiple occupation

20 June 2018 0 Comments

Landlords with properties across the Ashford borough are being urged to prepare for changes to the rules governing Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

From 1 October 2018, all HMOs with five or more people comprising of two or more family units will require a licence to operate. Currently an HMO licence is only required if a property is over three or more floors, so the main change is the removal of the number of storeys from the HMO definition.

The changes are contained in The Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed Description) (England) Order 2018. The government estimates that the changes will mean an extra 160,000 properties will need to be licensed in England, with Ashford Borough Council estimating that up to 150 properties will need to be licensed across the borough.

The new legislation will also introduce minimum space standards for bedrooms. Rooms sleeping one adult must be no smaller than 6.51m2. And any rooms sleeping two adults must be no smaller than 10.22 m2. Rooms slept in by children aged 10 or younger must be no smaller than 4.64 m2.

Where minimum space standards are not being met, councils will be able to grant a period not exceeding 18 months to rectify the situation. Landlords must also provide adequate receptacles for the storage and disposal of household waste produced at the property.

Landlords are required to apply for a licence before 1 October and comply with any changes needed to be made. If, after this period you have not complied with the new scheme, you could face serious penalties, including hefty fines and criminal prosecution.

For more information on the changes and to make an application, contact Ashford Borough Council on privatesectorhousing@ashford.gov.uk

Ashford Borough Council  19 June 2018
www.ashford.gov.uk/whats-on/news/storey-time-for-landlords-under-new-rules-on-multiple-occupation-19th-june/

Ashford Borough Council, Housing, News, Planning and Development

Poplars, Beaver Lane – Redevelopment Consultation

27 May 2018 0 Comments

Ashford Borough Council is proposing a redevelopment of the Poplars, Beaver Lane, to 30 units as independent living for older people.

They are holding a public consultation event

  • from 4.00pm to 6.00pm
  • On 5th June 2018
  • At United Church Hall
    Cade Road, Ashford TN23 6JE

Ashford Borough Council want to engage with local residents and keep you informed and hear your views on the proposals. This is only part of the consultation process and they will be happy to receive correspondence via email, telephone or in person.

If you are unable to attend this event and wish to discuss the proposals or have any questions, please contact them:

  • email: site queries@ashford.gov.uk,
  • telephone: 012333 333311, or
  • visit the Civic Centre in person

Ashford Borough Council, Consultation, Housing, News, Planning and Development

Planning application for Klondyke site

27 April 2018 0 Comments

A planning application has been submitted for 93 dwellings on the site of the Klondyke Works in Newtown. This site, which is to the south of Newtown Road, adjacent to the Ashford to Hastings railway line had previously been earmarked for a model railway centre but was found to be too expensive to develop.

The current proposal is for 41 1 bed 1 person apartments and 52 2 bed 3 person apartments.

Details of the application can be found on our planning notice page:
Site of former Klondyke Works, Newtown Road
https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2018/04/27/site-of-former-klondyke-works-newtown-road-2/

News, Planning and Development

Road Closure: Newtown Road

4 April 2018 0 Comments

From 16th April – November 2018

Newtown Road junction with Romney Marsh Road [A2042]

These works form part of the expansion of Ashford Designer Outlet.

Changes to local roads and pedestrian walkways surrounding the centre are part of a long-term project to make roads safer and improve traffic flows.

The changes will include the introduction of a signalised junction and a pedestrian crossing, which will make it easier for people to move between the International Station, the town centre and Ashford Designer Outlet. This will include a complete re-landscape of the area.

When will the roadworks finish?

The works will begin on Monday 16th April and will run until November 2018. The maintenance and improvement projects have been carefully planned to allow road works to be completed safely, while keeping disruption to road users to a minimum.

Where are the roadworks?

Due to the nature of the works, Newtown Road will be closed at the junction with Romney Marsh Road [A2042]. There will be no access to Ashford International Station and its car parks from Romney Marsh Road [A2042].

A fully signed diversion route will be in place via Orbital Park Roundabout and Crowbridge Road. Access to the centre is uneffected. Please refer to the below maps.

Who is doing the work?

The works are being led by McLaren and delivered by Walker Construction.

How can I avoid them?

Drivers are advised to check their route and allow extra time for their journeys where needed, especially at peak times.  McLaren and Walkers Construction have released a series of tips to help drivers navigate the improvement works during peak periods:

  • Check conditions on the roads and possible detour routes prior to making your journey
  • Use alternative routes to avoid road works where possible
  • Familiarise your changes in route prior to driving
  • Follow the yellow directional signage for diversion routes
  • Obey road signage for the safety of you and the workforce

Who can I talk to about these works?

Please email enquiries@ashfordexpansion.co.uk if you have a question.

McArthurGlen
https://outlets.mcarthurglen.com/en/uk/designer-outlet-ashford/whats-on/planned-improvement-works/

News, Planning and Development, Transport

Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople consultation

22 February 2018 0 Comments

Help shape our Local PlanGypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Issues and Options

Ashford Borough Council

Opens: 21 Feb 2018
Closes: 6 Apr 2018 at 17:00.

Ashford Borough Council are committed to meeting the identified needs of the Gypsy and Traveller community within the borough. In order to meet this need, the Council is in the process of developing a Development Plan Document for Gypsies and Travellers.  This document seeks the views of the Gypsy and Traveller communities, residents and stakeholders, on the issues and options for Gypsy and Traveller site selection in Ashford.

The issues and options outlined within this consultation are not a statement of intention by Ashford, instead they are designed to highlight the key themes and suggested options upon which they need your views. Consultation on the issues and options report and consideration of the responses to consultation will assist the Council to analyse the merits and drawbacks of all the practical options available for providing sites for Gypsies, Travellers and travelling showpeople. As part of this issues and options consultation, they are seeking to identify suitable sites to consider for inclusion as Gypsy, Traveller and travelling showpeople sites within the DPD.  Suggestions for the inclusion of specific sites are an important aspect of consultation on this particular Issues and Options report.

The format of the consultation is to provide some background information and then pose a series of questions to help guide responses, and there is the opportunity to raise further issues and options as part of this consultation. (more…)

Ashford Borough Council, Consultation, Housing, News, Planning and Development

Halstow Way redevelopment consultation

20 February 2018 0 Comments

View from open space

Did you attend the event yesterday evening, 21st Feb?

South Ashford Community Forum would like to know your views.

  • Do you live in the immediate vicinity of the Noakes Meadow open space? Did you receive a notice of the event?
  • Affordable housing is desperately needed in Ashford and the Council have used some land they own to produce excellent small developments.
  • The land on which these flats are to be built is designated open space. the Council are proposing that S106 money from this development and others is used to improve the remainder of the space, to compensate for the reduction in area. Is this an appropriate use of open space.
  • The plans allow for 28 car parking spaces to comply with the requirement in the draft local plan but data indicates that car ownership in flats in Ashford is 1 car per 2 dwellings. Should this much space be used for parking?
  • Is the location appropriate for 3 storey development about 12m to to ridge?
  • The proposals show the site fenced. Does it need to be, or is this creating a ‘gated community’.
  • What will the impact be on the existing residents of Halstow Way?

(more…)

Ashford Borough Council, Environment, Housing, News, Planning and Development

Minerals and Waste Plan Consultation

14 February 2018 0 Comments

Kent County CouncilEarly Partial Review of the Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2013-30 and
Mineral Sites Plan – Options Consultation

Kent County Council

Opens: 19 Dec 2017
Closes: 27 Mar 2018

The Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2013-30 (KMWLP or the Plan) sets out the minerals supply and waste management capacity provision for Kent up until the year 2031. Following the adoption of the KMWLP in July 2016, further assessments have been undertaken which suggest that the level of waste management capacity required to maintain net self-sufficiency differs from that which was anticipated to be needed when the KMWLP was prepared. In order to ensure that Kent benefits from an up-to-date strategy for waste management capacity the County Council is seeking to undertake an early partial review of the KMWLP to amend several of the policies relating to waste management.

Furthermore, the County Council also seeks to improve the clarity of the policies relating to minerals and waste safeguarding; this should improve their effectiveness when used in practice. This is a part of the Early Partial Review of the Plan at this time.

Parallel to the early Partial Review Consultation referred to above the County Council is holding a public consultation on the Option Sites for the Minerals Sites Plan. This is a Regulation 18 consultation to gather the views of the general community, groups, organisations, mineral operators, other Kent authorities (at the Parish and Borough/District levels) and individuals on what the County Council considers to be potential mineral sites required to supply a steady and adequate quantity of mineral resources to meet the objectives of the Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan (KMWLP) 2013-30.

Additional supporting evidence documents and Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Reports have been published to support the consultation. Since the start of the consultation the evidence base been updated as follows:

Information concerning the site areas of the following Minerals Site Options:

  • West Malling Sandpit, Ryarsh
  • Chapel Farm, Lenham
  • Lydd Quarry Extensions, Lydd

Assessment of the suitability of mineral site options with respect to the Green Belt.

  • A separate evidence addendum has been prepared that summarises the updates and this can be found on the above website.

To engage in the above consultations, please click here.

The period for the  consultations is 19th December 2017 to 27th March 2018.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Minerals and Waste Planning Policy team.

Email:  mwlp@kent.gov.uk

Phone:  03000 413328

Consultation Summary

Name The Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2013-30
Description Kent County Council is seeking to undertake an early partial review of the KMWLP to amend several of the policies relating to waste management.
Dates From 19 Dec 2017 at 00:00 to 27 Mar 2018 at 23:59.
Status Open
Consulting Organisation Type Kent County Council
Consulting Organisation Name Kent County Council
District / Borough areas affected by the consultation Ashford, Canterbury, Dartford, Dover, Gravesham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Shepway, Swale, Thanet, Tonbridge & Malling, Tunbridge Wells
Consultation Topic General interest, Environment and countryside, Planning and planning applications, Recycling, rubbish and waste management
Consultation Methods Online survey / questionnaire / forms
Contact Details Email:  mwlp@kent.gov.uk

Phone:  03000 413328

Consultation, Environment, Kent County Council, News, Planning and Development, Planning Policy

ABC: Report it

30 January 2018 0 Comments

Let's work together to make the borough a better placeAshford Borough Council has improved its online reporting system, making it easier for residents to report issues such as:

  • Flytipping
  • Littering
  • Dog fouling
  • Vandalism
  • Anti-social behaviour
  • Planning enforcement

The new system replaces some online forms and allows residents to report incidents and then track their progress via a unique reference number.

www.ashford.gov.uk/report

Ashford Borough Council, Crime, Environment, News, Planning and Development, Security

Chilmington Green School to open on South School site

24 January 2018 0 Comments

Chilmington Green Primary School will open on 1 September 2018 in temporary accommodation* in Jemmett Road, Ashford. The school will move into its new state of the art site on the Chilmington Green Development once building works have been completed, this is currently expected to be September 2019.

* The building on Jemmett Road, (formally [the South School and] temporary site of Finberry Primary School from September 2015 to July 2017) is a fully equipped school site which will meet the needs of the school before its move into the permanent building.

Apply for a place

To apply for a place at Chilmington Green Primary School, please download the application form below.

Chilmington Green Primary School Application Form

Applications can be sent by post to Chilmington Green Primary Admissions, Office Manager, Finberry Primary School, Avocet Way, Finberry, Sevington, Ashford, TN25 7GS or by email to sarah.jones@stouracademytrust.org.uk

APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON 15TH JANUARY 2018.

Admissions Policy

To read the admissions policy of Chilmington Green Primary School, please download the document below.

Chilmington Green Primary School Admission Policy

About the School

Opening in September 2018 in Jemmett Road, Ashford. Chilmington Green Primary School will be a member of The Stour Academy Trust, a leading Primary only Multi-Academy Trust with schools across Kent.

The strong and inspirational leadership of The Stour Academy Trust has been described as Outstanding by Ofsted and has a proven track record of providing outstanding outcomes for children.

Chilmington Green Primary School will share the vision and values of all the schools in The Stour Academy Trust. We value children’s well-being and their education above all else, and put the needs of our children at the heart of all our decision making.

For more information about the school, please view the school website or facebook page below:

www.chilmingtongreenprimary.org.uk

The Stour Academy Trust
www.stouracademytrust.org.uk/Forthcoming-Academies/

Children, Education, News, Planning and Development