Lidsing Garden Community SPD

Comment

Representation ID: 264

Received: 05/12/2025

Respondent: Sport England

All proposals for sport be it playing fields or built facilities should be based on a robust evidence base. unfortunately Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) does not have any evidence base. So it is therefore difficult to understand how they will be able to justify the sports provision they are proposing.

Sport England is willing to assist MBC prepare a robust case with them for the borough and in particular this site.

Objection noted.
The overall strategy and approach to future development across the Maidstone Borough area has been established by the Local Plan Review which was adopted by the Council in March 2024, following a robust process of debate and scrutiny via an independent ‘Examination in Public’. The preparation of the SPD was a requirement of adopted Policy LPRSP4(B).
The SPD takes forward the requirements of Policy LPRSP4(B) and LPRINF1 which established the necessary scope of infrastructure including the necessary area required for sports.
Chapter 6.5 of the SPD sets out principles relating to open space including sports and makes reference to proposals needing to be in line with identified need in the Maidstone Playing Pitch Strategy or any successor document, as and when this is produced.

Support

Representation ID: 265

Received: 05/12/2025

Respondent: Sport England

In oder to create sustainable, vibrant places you need robust design codes/standards

Support noted.

Comment

Representation ID: 266

Received: 05/12/2025

Respondent: Sport England

Sport England would strong advocate Maidstone Borough Council adopting our Active Design Gudiances as many other LPAs, nation wide.https://www.sportengland.org/guidance-and-support/facilities-and-planning/design-and-cost-guidance/active-design

By applying Active Design’s 10 principles to our built and natural environments, we can create active environments that encourage people to be active through their everyday lives.

With a shared belief and commitment to the great value that well designed places can have on health and wellbeing, we've worked with Active Travel England (ATE) and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) to produce this updated version of the Active Design guide.

Comment Noted.
Officers agree that reference should be made to the most up to date Sport England guidance.

Object

Representation ID: 267

Received: 05/12/2025

Respondent: Sport England

Maidstone' Borough Council's current playing pitch strategy, is out of date and unsound. We, along with several national governing bodies for sport are willing to work with MBC to prepare a new robust playing pitch strategy, (PPS) .

Until a new PPS, is prepared and adopted it would a mistake by MBC to suggest what sports provision is required or be provided.

Objection noted.
The overall strategy and approach to future development across the Maidstone Borough area has been established by the Local Plan Review which was adopted by the Council in March 2024, following a robust process of debate and scrutiny via an independent ‘Examination in Public’. The preparation of the SPD was a requirement of adopted Policy LPRSP4(B).
The SPD takes forward the requirements of Policy LPRSP4(B) and LPRINF1 which established the necessary scope of infrastructure including the necessary area required for sports.
Chapter 6.5 of the SPD sets out principles relating to open space including sports and makes reference to proposals needing to be in line with identified need in the Maidstone Playing Pitch Strategy or any successor document.

Comment

Representation ID: 268

Received: 05/12/2025

Respondent: Sport England

What about buildings for informal and formal physical and sporting activity. i.e A Local Leisure: https://www.sportengland.org/guidance-and-support/facilities-and-planning/design-and-cost-guidance/leisure-local

Comment noted.
The SPD takes forward the requirements of Policy LPRSP4(B) which established the necessary scope of infrastructure including the necessary area required for sports, but did not explicitly refer to leisure buildings.
Chapter 6.11 sets out principles for the Local centre which includes the need to consider a wider range of facilities, including for community and leisure uses.
Chapter 6.12 sets out principles for education including related sports provision which must be primarily for the use of the primary school, but should also be designed to support community uses.

Comment

Representation ID: 269

Received: 05/12/2025

Respondent: Sport England

The use of schools to have dual use does not cater for the whole of a local communities needs and therefore not inclusive. This because part of the population, may be economically inactive, retired, carers stay at home parents, home worker etc. and will need access to sports halls or similar during school hours. the same is true for MUGAs and playing fields.

Comment noted.
The SPD takes forward the requirements of Policy LPRSP4(B) which established the necessary scope of infrastructure including the necessary area required for sports, but did not explicitly refer to leisure buildings.
Chapter 6.11 sets out principles for the Local centre which includes the need to consider a wider range of facilities, including for community and leisure uses.
Chapter 6.12 sets out principles for education including related sports provision which must be primarily for the use of the primary school, but should also be designed to support community uses.

Comment

Representation ID: 270

Received: 05/12/2025

Respondent: Sport England

Sport can also be an employer, two gymnastics clubs Earls Gymnastics Club, (Sandwell), and Revolution Gymnastics (Birmingham) when located within an industrial areas, were one of the biggest employers on the parks where they were located.

Comment noted.
Chapter 6.13 of the SPD recognises at paragraph 6.13.8 that jobs will be created across the Garden Settlement from a variety of activities, including the on site retail, leisure and community facilities.

Comment

Representation ID: 271

Received: 05/12/2025

Respondent: Sport England

There should be a clear strategy for delivering both formal and inform sport and physical activity with the development.

Comment noted.
The scope and detailed design of sport related aspects will need to be set out as part of the formulation and consideration of future planning applications.
The strategy for delivery will be established via the use of S106 agreements associated with any planning permissions.