Issue - meetings

Background:

This report provided information on the draft Maidstone Local Plan, which included a proposal for a Lidsing Garden Community on the border of Medway. Medway Council had objected to the proposals but was legally required to demonstrate constructive engagement with Maidstone Borough Council on cross border strategic planning matters, under the Duty to Cooperate.

The matters under consideration between the two authorities were set out in the proposed Statement of Common Ground, which was attached to the report at Appendix 2. Members expressed their concerns with the proposed Lidsing Garden Community and the detrimental impact it would have on Medway roads and services, not least education provision and health services and their views that the Statement of Common Ground should be more robust and explicit about the concerns and objections Medway had.

Reasons:

To provide a robust and effective governance process supporting the legal Duty to Cooperate.