Heathlands Garden Settlement SPD

Comment

Representation ID: 81

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

It is important that the school location is within easy walking and cycling distance from all housing areas and the station. The bus needs to serve the schools well too, with designated bus stops that are to the side of the road to keep traffic moving.

Comment noted.
Officers agree that an additional principle should be added to make sure the school locations are fully accessible.

Comment

Representation ID: 82

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Yes. It is also important to consider capacity for parking and people commuting in

Comment noted.
The approach to car parking is a matter relevant to future Design Codes which will confirm the appropriate approaches to inform more detailed designs.

Comment

Representation ID: 83

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

It would be great if the Country Park could have a café run only by local residents for the community.

Comment noted.
The SPD takes forward the requirements of Policy LPRSP4(A) of the Local Plan Review which established the necessary scope of facilities and infrastructure, which did not include a requirement for a community café as part of the Country Park.
The lack of a requirement does not however mean that such a facility would not be provided, and will be a matter for developers to consider as part of preparing future planning applications.

Comment

Representation ID: 84

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Yes, a lot of thought has gone into this

Comment noted.

Comment

Representation ID: 85

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

It is important to create all-weather wide tarmac paths in the park and Country Park. These are needed for all year round accessibility for walkers, dog walkers and those with wheelchairs/prams etc. Will the school be taking students from outside of Heathlands? What traffic impact would this cause?

Comment noted.
Chapter 6.11 of the SPD requires that all active travel routes will need to be compliant with Local Transport Note 1/20 published by the Department for Transport, which requires all networks and routes to be coherent; direct; safe; comfortable and attractive. Further design guidelines will need to set out and agreed in an accompanying site wide design code.
Officers agree that it would provide clarity to make direct reference to the need for new routes and connections to be 'all-weather' to ensure usability, albeit not to specify the specific material.
The process for allocating school places will be a matter taken forward by Kent County Council in line with wider policies and procedures and cannot be considered by the SPD.

Comment

Representation ID: 86

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Yes

Comment noted.

Comment

Representation ID: 87

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Is it possible to consider how solar panels will look from the North Downs? It may be possible to mitigate the look of them or what side they are situated to retain a better view from Pilgrims Way for example. The sun can make the panels look like mirrors.

Comment noted.
The SPD does not consider the level of detail of building layout or orientation, but does at Chapter 6.9 recognise the importance of views from the Kent Downs National Landscape.
Officers agree that further clarity could be added to the principles and guidelines relating to 'Sustainable Design' to consider the visual impact of renewable energy technologies including solar.

Comment

Representation ID: 88

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Add having a strong alignment of exterior architectural influences from nearby Lenham and Charing. Some of the visuals shown in the document are very poor and are not acceptable design styles from the outside view of the properties. Please add information about proposed development lighting and the light pollution this will cause.

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 Design Coding to secure quality. The Design Code will need to consider the appropriate approach to architectural features and styles, as well as 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: 89

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Architecture externally must align to local styles, materials and heritage to make it a fitting and charming place to live. This includes the station - a glass building with concrete is just not good enough. A nicely designed brick station building is needed along with trees and landscaping.

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.

Comment

Representation ID: 90

Received: 11/11/2025

Respondent: Mr Philip Riches

Yes, really important

Comment noted.