Heathlands Garden Settlement SPD

Comment

Representation ID: 49

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mrs Emmae Lomax

I wholeheartedly object to this plan, however, if it is already a fait-accompli as it seems to be, I believe that there are omissions that need to be considered and addressed to ensure the minimum impact on the communities in the rest of the North Downs Ward. This whole project is ill conceived and as such this SPD is needed.

Comment noted.
No specific omissions are identified within the comment.
Policy LPRSP4(A) of the Local Plan Review requires the preparation of the SPD..

Comment

Representation ID: 50

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mrs Emmae Lomax

There is a glaring omission in this plan regarding access to the motorway network directly from the new community. There is an opportunity to get this right at the start of the project rather than blight the lives of many villagers in places such as Hollingbourne, Harrietsham, Leeds and Lenham for generations to come.

Comment noted.
The SPD takes forward the requirements of Policy LPRSP4(A) of the Local Plan Review which established the necessary scope of infrastructure, which did not include a requirement for a new junction on the motorway.

Comment

Representation ID: 51

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mrs Emmae Lomax

Direct access to the M20 from the new community is imperative, the A20 is unable to cope with the current flow of traffic adding 5000+ more houses equates to 10s of thousands of cars on the roads each day. The train station and some bike lanes is not the panacea to this problem.

Comment noted.
The SPD takes forward the requirements of Policy LPRSP4(A) of the Local Plan Review which established the necessary scope of infrastructure, which did not include a requirement for a new junction on the motorway.

Comment

Representation ID: 52

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mrs Emmae Lomax

It is naive to think that everyone will suddenly switch to taking the train or riding a bike. The A20 is already bumper to bumper most days and this is before the addition of 5000+ new houses, schools and businesses in the area. The two access points onto the A20 are insufficient. Where is the direct access to the M20 between Junction 8 and Junction 9? Without this MBC will blight the historic villages along the A20, choke the countryside and AONB and set the new town up for failure.

Comment noted.
The SPD takes forward the requirements of Policy LPRSP4(A) of the Local Plan Review which established the necessary scope of infrastructure, which did not include a requirement for a new junction on the motorway.
Section 8 of the SPD sets out the required approach to assess and consider transport impacts of proposals, and establish appropriate mitigation measures.
The detailed design of transport mitigation measures will need to be set out as part of the formulation and consideration of future planning applications.

Comment

Representation ID: 53

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mrs Emmae Lomax

A realistic approach to providing infrastructure that supports the vision is what is needed. We often hear that the infrastructure will come later, or 'not in this phase' by then it is too late and the problems are baked in. Direct access to the M20 is what is needed from day one.

Comment noted.
The SPD takes forward the requirements of Policy LPRSP4(A) of the Local Plan Review which established the necessary scope of infrastructure. This did not include a requirement for a new junction on the motorway.
Figure 19 at Section D of the SPD replicates the required phasing of development phases and associated infrastructure, as set out in the Local Plan Review.