Heathlands Garden Settlement SPD

Comment

Representation ID: 61

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Yes, I am worried about new large scale developments in our local countryside, so the planning must be to the very highest and thorough standards possible to mitigate the worst effects.

Comment noted.
The SPD sets out a vision and set of specific design objectives that collectively cover the key elements of how proposals at Heathlands Garden Settlement must come forward to deliver a quality place.

Comment

Representation ID: 62

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Mainly, but mitigating anti-social trends and habits need to be considered too. For example, hedges may look nice along a new road, but if this is a route to somewhere such as a school, station or shops, people stuff their litter into hedges on their way (it is hidden from view), so littering and provision of bins is essential. This is an issue near where I live.

Comment noted.
Requirements for litter bins was included at Chapter 6.8 in respect of principles for the 'District and Local Centres', as key centres of activity.
Officers agree that a similar reference should be added to the principles for 'Green Infrastructure' to provide additional requirements to secure a clean environment, with the intent for the stewardship approach to then ensure this is secured over the long term.

Comment

Representation ID: 63

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

The essential and important role of sensitive and respectful architecture may be a little overlooked. So many mistakes have been made in Maidstone, such as the ugly Rosewood development in Langley, totally out of character. Has the bus route been considered so that all areas are close to the route? 5000 homes would need a small supermarket and doctors, dentist, health care centre, fire station etc, have these been considered? Can electric charging points by installed in lots of the communal places as well as by default for all new homes?

Comment noted.
The SPD sets out principles and guidelines relating to 'Placemaking, Density & Character' (6.4) to achieve a high quality place, 'Movement & Connectivity (6.10) to require that new homes and employment sites are within 400m of bus stops and 'District & Local Centres (6.8) to require a range of local shops and services.
The provision of charging points is referenced in the SPD, and will need to align with the wider transition to the use of electric vehicles over time.

Comment

Representation ID: 64

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Yes, a lot of thought has gone into this

Comment noted.

Comment

Representation ID: 65

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Please consider social habits. People take the quickest route, so if you design lovely meandering footpaths, people will cut straight across a grass area instead, creating their own short cut for example. Making wider paths from areas of housing to school, allows easier and safer access for families. Making hybrid paths which allow for cycles and walking is also a good option.

Comment noted.
The SPD sets out principles and guidelines relating to 'Movement & Connectivity' (6.11) to promote active travel.
The detailed design of transport mitigation measures including the routing and approach to footpaths and cycle routes will need to be set out as part of the formulation and consideration of future planning applications.

Comment

Representation ID: 66

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Yes

Comment noted.

Comment

Representation ID: 67

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

No

No comment to be considered.

Comment

Representation ID: 68

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Yes

Comment noted.

Comment

Representation ID: 69

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

The surrounding land, streams and rivers are critically important. Detailed modelling must be done to account for coping with sewerage in extreme weather events. Developers should pay for ongoing enhancement and cleaning of the River Len as part of their tendering process, to create a much needed benefit to the wider natural area.

Comment noted.
The SPD sets out principles and guidelines relating to 'Blue Infrastructure' (6.3) including the need to fully consider issues related to flooding, drainage, flood risk and pollution.
Appendix C of the SPD sets out the requirement for additional flood risk assessment work to accompany future planning applications.

Comment

Representation ID: 70

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Yes

Comment noted.