Lidsing Garden Community SPD

Comment

Representation ID: 780

Received: 15/12/2025

Respondent: National Highways

Section A: Background

Introduction 11 The Lidsing Garden Community SPD is a requirement of the Local Plan Review 2021-2038 Policy LPRSP4(B) which states:

Page 2'The council will work with the promoter to produce an agreed Supplementary Planning Document to masterplan and facilitate the site's delivery.'

12 A Lidsing Vision Document Masterplan Framework was produced by the site promoters to support the allocation in the Local Plan Review 2021-2038. This was built upon by the SPD to create a master plan framework.

13 To inform the Draft SPD, a range of technical analyses and site-specific assessment was undertaken. This includes work from the Maidstone Local Plan Review 2021- 2038 to support the allocation of the site and some new topic papers that summarise previous work and update where necessary.

14 The SPD has been developed through a series of work stages:

Stage 1 - Early Engagement

Stage 2 - Preparation of Draft SPD

Stage 3 - Formal Public Consultation on Draft SPD

Stage 4 - Preparation Final SPD

Stage 5 - Adoption of the SPD

Planning Application

15 The SPD is currently at Stage 3 of the process and National Highways has engaged with MBC during the earlier stages, providing feedback, which has informed the Draft SPD.

Future Stages of Work

16 The core purpose of the SPD is to support and provide guidance at this stage in the planning process, prior to the submission and consideration of planning applications for the Garden Community.

17 As previously requested by National Highways, the Draft SPD now includes a clearer, albeit still quite high-level, explanation of what is anticipated to be dealt with at each stage of the process, from pre-application engagement regarding SPD guidance, outline planning application, submission of reserved matters etc. through to delivery of development.

18 It is noted that all subsequent stages of work will be subject to appropriate levels of consultation and engagement with all key stakeholders and that ultimately, MBC as LPA (together with input and consideration by KCC) will retain the key decision- making role to ensure that the overall vision and objectives for the Garden Community will be realised.

19 National Highways has adopted a flexible approach with regards what is produced by way of evidence at the Local Plan, SPD and/or application stages, but has been clear throughout what evidence does need to be produced ahead of any consent. This is to ensure that National Policy in C01/22 and the NPPF regarding the assessment and mitigation of any impacts on the SRN are complied with.

Policy Context

National Planning Policy

20 As previously requested by National Highways, the Draft SPD now references DfT Circular 01/2022, alongside the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) December 2024 update, supported by National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG). This sets out a vision led approach to transport planning and we note that this will be explored further in the accompanying transport annex in respect of how it will be applied to the Lidsing Garden Community.

Local Planning Policy

21 The Local Plan's policy framework for Lidsing Garden Community is set out in Policy LPRSP4(b): Lidsing Garden Community. This explains the overarching site requirements, land use parameters and references the promoter's original masterplan vision framework plan.

Page 322 It is noted that development at Lidsing Garden Community will need to comply with the site allocation in the Local Plan Review 2021-2038. The SPD is a material consideration which

provides guidance as to how that can be achieved and should be read alongside the Local Plan Review and other documents in the Development Plan.

Site Context

Location

23 The site is located north of Maidstone town separated from it by, two motorways (M20 and M2) and the Kent Downs National Landscape (KDNL). The KDNL provides the strategic gap between Maidstone and the Medway urban area.

24 It is noted that, to the north and west are sites with planning permission and presently being developed or close to commencement These include East Hill and Gibraltar Farm in Medway Council's area and Gleaming Wood Drive within Maidstone Borough area.

Flood Risk

25 The site is formed of agricultural farmland with smaller pockets of housing within it. The Draft SPD states that there is some surface water flood risk within the site. As such the scheme will need to control the distribution of surface water to minimise flood risk.

26 Given the proximity of the site to the M2 motorway, we expect that National Highways will be consulted on the surface water strategy and mitigation of flood risk measures. Paragraph 59 of Circular 01/22 should also be referred to in relation to such matters.

Movement and Connectivity

27 The site is adjacent to the SRN, the M2 motorway runs south of the site area (with the exception

of circa 20ha of land located within the National Landscape south of the M2).

28 M2 Junction 4 is a three-arm junction, with the potential for an additional access arm to the south. The principle of the provision of a fourth arm has been established via the Local Plan assessments and is accordingly referenced in site-specific Local Plan policies. The SPD document (and supporting Transport Annex) confirm that further technical details of the proposed improvement will be included with the Transport Assessment supporting the outline planning application. It is stated within the Transport Annex that the design of the junction will be refined through additional transport modelling work; the proposed process for this is set out in detail in section 6 of the Transport Annex and this is consistent with the technical discussions that have been held with the developer during preparation of the draft SPD. It is expected that this process will be followed in due course and that National Highways will be consulted on relevant assumptions and details at each stage.

29 M2 Junction 3 is located west of Lidsing. It is noted that this junction experiences more significant traffic flow and peak congestion and is a key route to the Medway towns and a main link south to Maidstone. Confirmation of the development-specific flows at this junction is to be provided as part of the TA assessments.

30 North Dane Way lies to the west of the Lidsing Garden Community site and the Medway Southern Peripheral Route was historically planned to connect this road with the M2 but was never

implemented and the road terminates within Lordswood.

31 Whilst there are various Public Rights of Way (PROW) and footpaths within the site, it is noted that there are no National Cycle Routes through/near the site and there are no bus routes/bus

stops within the site.

Opportunities and Constraints

32 The Draft SPD identifies the principal constraints and opportunities of the site, which have

informed the development of the masterplan.

33 Key opportunities listed include improved access to the M2 at Junction 4.

Page 434 Key constraints include areas of surface flood water risk within the site, and the setting of listed building within Bredhurst, particularly where the new link to the motorway is to be formed.

Comment noted

Comment

Representation ID: 785

Received: 15/12/2025

Respondent: National Highways

Section B: Vision, Objectives & Spatial Framework

Vision and Objectives

Vision

35 The Draft SPD states that the Lidsing Garden Community will play a key role in achieving the overall vision for Maidstone as is currently set out in the adopted Local Plan.

Lidsing Garden Community

36 The Draft SPD outlines the vision for the Lidsing Garden Community, as per adopted Local Plan Review policy, and then builds on that with objectives that will help to deliver that vision.

37 The Draft SPD now includes a specific objective of 'Active Streets':

'Streets will be designed for people over private vehicles. It will be a place where active travel and public modes of transport are the most convenient, appealing, and efficient choices for short journeys; and it is the intention to provide attractive sustainable transport links to key external destinations in Medway and to Maidstone Borough.'

38 The wording of the above objective matches the previous suggestion from National Highways.

39 JSJV note that the list of community objectives also includes:

Securing integrated sustainable transport: Provide excellent sustainable connections and environments that make walking, cycling and public transport the most attractive method of travel, maximising the opportunities presented by the East-West link road.

Comment noted

Comment

Representation ID: 788

Received: 15/12/2025

Respondent: National Highways

Framework Plans

Movement and Connectivity Framework Plan

40 The Draft SPD includes various framework plans which come together to create the spatial framework plan. These include:

Movement and connectivity - establishes the street hierarchy, key connections to and from the site and transport options.

41 National Highways previously recommended that this framework plan should refer to Vision and Validate as a concept (i.e. how the information in the Framework plan will provide guidance as to measures will contribute to the evolution of transport provision over time). We note that this recommendation has not been included within the Draft SPD but is instead discussed within the Transport Annex. We therefore wish to re-iterate that this topic will need to be addressed in full within the forthcoming TA report and may also need to be reflected in the relevant Parameter Plan(s)

42 National Highways also previously requested that brief commentary should be provided as to the assumptions about bus routes which would serve the identified bus stop locations (or alternatively a reference / link given to where further bus commentary is provided). It is not clear how any buses would serve the stop indicated in the south-west corner of the site.

43 JSJV note that 'Figure 24: Movement & Connectivity Framework' of the Draft SPD has been revised since the previous version was commented upon. Changes include the location of bus stops and an amended bus route through the site. However limited information regarding the proposed bus routes and bus stop locations has been provided and this will need to be addressed fully as part of the TA report.

Comment noted.
Officers agree that reference should be made to the Kent County Council Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) and consider that further wording should be included in the supporting text to acknowledge that the relevant drawing (figure 32) is illustrative and does not show all properties within 400m of a bus stop but that full coverage is an important aspiration, as reflected in the guidance.

Comment

Representation ID: 793

Received: 15/12/2025

Respondent: National Highways

Landscape

47 It is noted that the area to the south of the M2 is broadly to be used as open space following the principles of design laid out in Figure 29 of the draft SPD, reproduced as Figure 2 below.

Figure 2 Cross-section of the land south of the M2 Junction 4

Kemsley Street Opportunity Proposed Link road set on 1:3 Existing M2 Corridor Road Native scrub for SuDS woodland grassed embankment Proposed woodland woodland

Source: Draft SPD

48 The Draft SPD also starts that Landscape buffers shall be provided to the major transport corridors of the M2 and to the Kent Downs National Landscape to the south. The form of planting and landscaping shall be informed by noise surveys and discussions with the Kent Downs National Landscape'

49 National Highways must be consulted on any 'landscape buffers' to be implemented adjacent to the M2 corridor.

Comment noted. Paragraph 7.6.6 includes National Highways under the list of statutory consultees the applicant is encouraged to engage directly with as detailed proposals are developed as part of a future planning application.

Comment

Representation ID: 800

Received: 15/12/2025

Respondent: National Highways

Open Space

50 Further consultation with National Highways will be necessary regarding the following aspects:

Land South of the M2 Junction 4 (as indicated within the indicative open space plan)

Green Bridge (across M2 Motorway)

51 We are satisfied that the information provided within the draft SPD is sufficient at this stage.

Comment noted.

Comment

Representation ID: 844

Received: 15/12/2025

Respondent: National Highways

ctive Travel

52 It is noted that the site has the opportunity to enhance the existing network to help provide for Active Travel.

Public Transport

53 As previously requested by National Highways, the Draft SPD now provides clarity on what was described as a 'regular' bus service. It is stated that the bus route must support the provision of a regular (half hourly) and frequent service connecting the site to Medway and Maidstone.

Key Principles/Guidance

Page 6Active Travel

54 National Highways previously requested that the guidance should refer to how cyclists will be accommodated as part of street design (i.e. where a dedicated cycle path will not be present).

55 We note that the guidance has been updated to include references to Active Travel England Guidance and LTN1/20 guidance or successor document standards.

Public Transport

56 National Highways previously requested that the 'key outer destinations' to be served by public transport should be identified at point f (previously point 1). This comment remains outstanding.

57 We note that point g (previously point 2) has been expanded, as requested, to include information on how the stated aim would be achieved; this clarification is considered acceptable.

Comment noted. Officers agree that further clarity for key outer destinations should be provided as part of point f which reflect those set out in Figure 4.1 of the Transport Annex.

Comment

Representation ID: 845

Received: 15/12/2025

Respondent: National Highways

Character Areas
58
Through the development of the evidence base of the Local Plan Review to inform the Lidsing Vision Masterplan, it is noted that a total of 5 neighbourhoods emerged including:
• ‘LCZ 3 – Southern Edge M2’ with the following principles to be followed: ‘k. Noise attenuation measures will need to be incorporated along the southern boundary with the M2. l. New landscape planting along this edge to provide visual screening from the M2 as well as providing any required screening of development from the Kent Downs National Landscape to conserve and enhance this landscape. m. Continuous diverse building frontages to help reduce noise impacts from the M2.’
59
In relation to the need for and form of any noise attenuation measures, attention is drawn to paragraph 55 of DfT Circular 01/22.
60
In relation to any boundary treatments along the M2, National Highways must be consulted at each stage of the planning process.
• ‘LCZ 5 – Infrastructure Provision’: ‘Please see opens space section of the SPD entitled 'Land South of M2 Junction 4' for details.’
61
As previously noted, further consultation with National Highways will be necessary with respect to any infrastructure provision in relation to, or which could potentially impact on the SRN.

Comment noted. Paragraph 7.6.6 includes National Highways under the list of statutory consultees the applicant is encouraged to engage directly with as detailed proposals are developed as part of a future planning application.

Comment

Representation ID: 846

Received: 15/12/2025

Respondent: National Highways

Employment Area
62
It is noted that the 14ha employment hub will comprise a flexible mix of office, light industrial, and storage/ warehousing units with the following target mix of floorspace:
• Office (15%)
• Light industrial uses (35%)
• Storage/warehousing (50%)
63
In respect of these proposals, we would reiterate that it is recognized that the mix of employment uses needs to remain flexible to enable appropriate opportunities to be taken up as the site develops. However, any provision of B8 Parcel Delivery as part of the allocated
Page | 8
employment space will require its own bespoke transport analysis as part of the Outline Application, or we will be likely to recommend a condition covering the matter.

Comment noted.

Comment

Representation ID: 847

Received: 15/12/2025

Respondent: National Highways

Infrastructure

Infrastructure Delivery

65 We would note that the phasing of the infrastructure proposals is consistent with the previous version of the Draft SPD reviewed by National Highways. However, we would re-iterate that all current trigger points for transport mitigations will need to be re-assessed and confirmed as part of the Transport Assessment for the OPA.

Comment noted.

Comment

Representation ID: 848

Received: 15/12/2025

Respondent: National Highways

Governance and Stewardship
70
This section of the Draft SPD sets out the governance and stewardship arrangements for the Garden Community. National Highways previously noted that the intention to establish a steering group for the application of Monitor and Manage could be referenced within this section. However, we note that the text does not include reference to a steering group in this particular section of the Draft SPD in relation to Monitor and Manage matters, and we would suggest that this could be added.

Comment noted.
Officers agree that further clarity could be included regarding the potential role of a steering group to assist with the application of Monitor and Manage.