Heathlands Garden Settlement SPD

Comment

Representation ID: 71

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

The creation of new ponds, lakes and reed beds after mineral extraction on the site has ceased. A longer term view.

Comment noted.
The SPD sets out within the principles and guidelines under Minerals (6.4) that the phasing and delivery of the Garden Settlement must consider matters related to the restoration of areas subject to minerals extraction, and that such land will be made suitable for the Heathlands development and optimise potential gains for landscape and biodiversity, The specific role and function of such land, and whether this should take the form of new water features will be subject to the preparation of future planning applications.

Comment

Representation ID: 72

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Yes

Comment noted.

Comment

Representation ID: 73

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Noise and light pollution. How can it be mitigated? How will street lighting look?

Comment noted.
The SPD includes chapters that set out principles and guidelines relating to 'Placemaking, Density & Character' (6.4) to achieve a high quality place and Chapter 10 of the SPD sets out the approach to approach to Design Coding to securing quality and which will need to consider the appropriate approach to lighting.
Officers agree that an additional principle should be added to the SPD to ensure that the issue of lighting will be robustly considered and any adverse impacts mitigated.

Comment

Representation ID: 74

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Overall yes, it needs to be a very careful balance. Much can be learned from other successes and failures in Maidstone, again look at how to consider social issues. For example, alleyways are not good as they attract flytipping and anti-social activities.

Comment noted.
Measures to minimise the risk of fly tipping will be considered as part of the preparation and determination of planning applications.
Officers consider that the principles for Green Infrastructure should be amended 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: 75

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Please consider how to integrate better layouts for social housing communal bin areas, so they don't become eyesores. All architecture needs to include homely and traditional Kentish themes, materials and character. Fake chimneys, white fences, decorative brickwork patterns and weatherboarding for example. Red brick is the locally used type in Lenham and surrounding villages.

Comment noted.
The SPD sets out principles and guidelines relating to 'Placemaking, Density & Character' (6.4) to achieve a high quality place and Chapter 10 of the SPD sets out the approach to Design Coding to secure quality. The Design Code will need to consider the appropriate approach to architectural features and styles for all types of buildings, which is too detailed for the SPD itself.

Comment

Representation ID: 76

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Overall yes

Comment noted.

Comment

Representation ID: 77

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Architecture needs to factor in ongoing maintenance. For example, I see white plastic weatherboarding on social housing which looks lovely but never gets cleaned by the housing authority, making the properties look dirty. The privately owned properties clean theirs.

Comment noted.

Comment

Representation ID: 78

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Yes, but 5000 homes is a large development so a small supermarket like Lidl or Aldi is needed to support the community and reduce car journeys out of the area.

Comment noted.
The SPD contains a range of topics including (at 6.8) the approach to new District and Local Centres which must include retail space to address the needs of the new neighbourhoods and population. The precise mix of uses will be determined at the pre/planning application stage.

Comment

Representation ID: 79

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

I would like to suggest a village square, similar to Lenham itself, with traditional architecture and character, located centrally in the development and where buses stop. A hub, where shops, cafe, community cente, pub, health care services etc and can easily be reached without needing to drive.

Comment noted.
The SPD contains a range of topics including (at 6.8) the approach to the proposed District Centre which must include a wide range of services and facilities together with a public space suitable for staging events and markets, all to be set within a high quality public realm.

Comment

Representation ID: 80

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Yes, well considered

Comment noted