Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document

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I am writing in response to the above consultation. Firstly, thank you for agreeing to allow an extension of time for Ashford Borough Council (ABC) to comment. The Council has previously commented in detail on the overall scope of MBC’s emerging GT&TS Plan (see response to Regulation 18b consultation). In this instance ABC wishes to comment specifically on need more generally. ABC understands the significant challenges faced by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) and continues to support the efforts being made to seek to accommodate as much of its GT&TS accommodation needs within their own administrative area. As MBC will be aware ABC also recently consulted on a Regulation 18 draft of a new Local Plan for Ashford covering the period up to 2042. The Regulation 18 version of the emerging Local Plan highlights the Council’s own challenging need for GT&TS accommodation (111 pitches and 4 plots). A call for sites was undertaken between September and November 2023 and August and October 2025, however only 4 sites have been put forward for consideration. Based on our emerging work and taking into account strategic environmental constraints (including the restrictions imposed on new residential development within the river Stour catchment due to the condition of the designated Stodmarsh lakes), it is clear accommodating our own identified GT&TS need will be extremely challenging. Having reviewed the Regulation 18c draft of MBC’s emerging GT&TS Plan I note that MBC are still exploring options with regard to the overall strategy. I also note that the emerging Plan does not identify any proposed site allocations at this stage. As such, there remains a lack of clarity within the Plan regarding the extent of any potential future shortfall. Therefore, at this stage ABC cannot see what planning judgements MBC is making regarding the suitability of potential sites being considered for allocation, intensification, and/or expansion. Consequently, and ahead of any formal request from MBC, whilst ABC understand that MBC have significant challenges, the Council wishes to clarify that it is not in a position to assist in meeting your GT&TS accommodation need and currently cannot envisage a scenario where this position will change. Irrespective, ABC remain committed to cooperating with MBC to discuss any strategic cross boundary issues under the duty to cooperate. If you have any questions regarding the content of this letter please contact