Chaotic scenes as MBC vote through flawed Local Plan Review

After five long years of consultation on what will be the most important plan for Maidstone Borough Council, last Wednesday (March 20th) saw a chaotic evening in which the Conservative-controlled council, with the help of many Independent councillors, voted through a flawed local plan review.

Maidstone Town Hall

Over the last five years, the council has been undergoing consultation and planning to implement a local plan for the Maidstone borough. This reached a climax on Wednesday evening as councillors convened to vote on the local plan review at the town hall. A major part of this included plans confirming where the areas of major housing developments will be placed.

When the plan was announced and began to get underway, the Local Plan Committee, chaired by the Conservative leader of the council David Burton, identified the Marden area as the most appropriate choice for further housing development. Areas Lenham and Lidsing were listed as other options.

The first year of the plan ended up being a complete waste of time and taxpayers’ money. It was decided that despite Marden being the clear preference, it was no longer appropriate.

Coincidentally, the Chairman of the local plan committee David Burton is also the Conservative councillor for the Marden Ward. At the time, there was no clear reasoning or evidence provided as to why Marden all of a sudden was no longer appropriate for the local plan…

Now the local plan has been finalised, the districts Lenham and Lidsing have fallen victim to inappropriate housing developments, with thousands proposed to be built. Residents from both areas have campaigned hard over recent years as they know full well that the infrastructure is simply not in place for the plans to be appropriate to the area.

LAST MINUTE RECOMMENDATION FROM MAJOR CONSULTANT

Upon arrival at the meeting, many councillors were hugely surprised to find a printed email on their desks. This email was written only hours before the meeting by Simon Jones; the head of growth, environment and transport at the Conservative-controlled Kent County Council.

The email simply said that MBC Councillors should NOT BE VOTING for the local plan as it was inappropriate and lacked the needed infrastructure. There was total confusion and disbelief.

After 5 years of consultation, why had a major consultant now decided only hours before the crucial vote to tell MBC councillors that they must vote against the local plan?

Many non-conservative councillors had already identified the various problems with the local plan review. However, this email from someone very high up in KCC had now cemented the fact that the plan was not appropriate or in the interests of MBC residents.

It clearly showed that there was a lack of coherence and cooperation between the Conservative KCC and MBC councils.

THE VOTE

In light of this very new and significant information sprung upon many members, Lib Dem Councillors called for an amendment to delay the decision for no longer than just a few weeks.

With the information coming from a senior member of the KCC, it should have been necessary for councillors to digest and analyse the information. This would have allowed councillors to make an informed decision. But this email came to many councillors’ attention only an hour before the vote; leaving no time to investigate the reasons as to why Simon Jones advised councillors it was wrong to vote for the local plan review.

This amendment put forward by the Lib Dems was voted against.

Ignoring this completely valid and valuable information, a coalition of Conservative and Independent councillors voted in favour of the local plan review. It did not seem to matter that a senior KCC member had advised that the plan was completely inappropriate. This is in combination with many residents and campaigners who have fought incredibly hard over many years to show this very point.

You can see how each councillor voted on the local plan review by CLICKING HERE.

May the 2nd

The events on Wednesday evening showed completely the Conservative-controlled council had no care for the expert opinion from KCC and residents. The decision to vote against a Lib Dem amendment to allow councillors to assess and analyse the statement from Simon Jones showed that they had no interest in members making an informed decision.

It was a shambolic evening that was not fit for purpose. This was one of the most important votes in the borough’s recent history, and it was nothing but chaos and misguided.

It demonstrated that the Conservatives do not have the interest of MBC residents at heart. On May the 2nd, that can all change with the local elections. The Tories have had their chance to deliver for Maidstone, and they have only delivered disappointment. It is time for a fresh approach that focuses on the priorities of residents. Be a part of the change on May the 2nd.