Heathlands Garden Settlement SPD

Comment

Representation ID: 693

Received: 15/12/2025

Respondent: Ashford Borough Council

Thank you for the consultation on the Heathlands Garden Settlement Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which closes on Monday 15 December 2025.

The Heathlands Garden Settlement is located near to the boundary with Ashford Borough Council (‘the Council’) and therefore it is likely that there will be cross-boundary impacts.
The Council has reviewed the content of the SPD and has the following comments to make:

Transport
The proposed development will have an impact on the highways network into Ashford, as traffic generated from the development will travel along the A20 and the existing rural road network, which both connect into Ashford borough.

It is noted that the primary vehicle accesses will be via the A20. Secondary accesses are proposed to the south of the site along roads which would connect to Ashford borough. The SPD sets out principles and guidelines to minimise movement through the rural road network. These principles are echoed within the Transport Assessment prepared to support the SPD. The Transport Assessment also states that the potential use of the secondary accesses will be determined through the subsequent Transport Assessment to support the planning applications.

Overall, the Council supports the design principles within the SPD which seek to minimise transport and vehicle movements along the existing rural road network, as well as prioritising active travel. The Council would also welcome further opportunity to continue to engage with Maidstone Borough Council and the promotors of the site as it comes forward through the outline planning application. In particular, the Council would like to be actively engaged about the proposed traffic mitigation measures and monitoring arrangements, as part of the ‘Monitor & Manage’ approach, to ensure that transport impacts on Ashford borough can be carefully considered.

Railway station proposals
The Local Plan Policy LPRSP4(a) proposes that a railway station on the Maidstone-Ashford rail line will be delivered in Phase 1. The SPD states that the delivery of the station is being progressed separately through the relevant processes. The Council is keen to be actively involved and kept informed of this work as it progresses, such as continued involvement via the SPD Stakeholder Steering Group, so that it can determine the impact that this may have on Ashford borough.

Impact and work on the Ashford Borough Council’s emerging Local Plan 2042
As Maidstone Borough Council will be aware, the Council has commenced work on the emerging Ashford Local Plan 2042. This work is currently at an early stage of plan making, having recently undertaken a Regulation 18 consultation in summer/autumn 2025. The Transport Assessment for the outline planning application should take account of any planned commitments or proposals within the emerging Local Plan. The Council would welcome further discussions about how the work on the emerging Local Plan can be factored into the progression of the Heathlands development.

Overall, the Council is supportive of working collaboratively with Maidstone Borough Council and looks forward to further engagement as work on the Heathlands Garden Settlement progresses.

Comment (support) noted.
Officers can confirm that they envisage further engagement will occur through the preparation and consideration of future planning applications for the site.
Officers have put forward additional text to set out the need for a 'Planning & Infrastructure Delivery Group' to oversee infrastructure delivery across the site which will involve a range of key stakeholders.