Social Value Ideas for Maidstone Borough Council

Solar farm refused in AONB

Members refused a 15MW solar farm in the Kent Downs National Landscape after concluding that, despite improvements to woodland planting and new ponds, the scheme still caused unacceptable harm and did…

“"And just lastly, a correction for the first reason refusal. It should refer to part two of policy SP9 and not one. It's just a typo. Thank you. >> Ok…”

Eastwood Road refused

The Eastwood Road application for 20 dwellings was refused after members concluded that its scale, layout and location would cause unacceptable urbanisation and countryside harm. The refusal was drive…

“Okay, just to clarify then we have a motion by councelor Perry for um refusal and it's seconded by councelor round and I'll just go to get the clarifi…”

Polytunnel landscape refusal

The committee refused the Rectory Farm polytunnel application because of significant visual harm to the Greensand Ridge, the cumulative impact of existing and proposed tunnels, and insufficient suppor…

“The proposal would result in significant visual harm to the Green Sand Ridge by way of introducing such a significant extent of polytunnels, which res…”

George in-post locker refused

The committee considered a retrospective application for an in-post parcel locker on the George site and supported refusal because officers judged it harmful to the character and appearance of the con…

“this is the third application for the same site uh this is a retrospective application for the installation of an in inpost Locker on the southern ele…”

Headcorn plan adopted

The council formally agreed to make/adopt the Headcorn neighbourhood plan. This is a completed planning policy decision that will affect future development control and local planning decisions in the …

“I want to move that the Headquart neighborhood plan be made or adopted by this council. Thank you. Is that seconded? Councelor English. Did he wish to…”

12-month honesty box pilot

Members approved a 12-month pilot for unstaffed kiosks, honesty boxes and similar low-risk self-service street trading. The pilot removes the consultation requirement, DBS checks and trader presence r…

“Members, this report seeks approval for a 12 month pilot scheme for unstaffed kiosks such as honesty boxes, cake sheds, and other low-risk self-servic…”

Licensing policy 2026-31

The council approved the draft licensing policy for 2026 to 2031, with delegated authority for typographical amendments before publication. This is a formal policy update affecting future licensing ad…

“I move that the draft statement of licensing policy 2026 to 2031 attached at appendix one to the report of the licensing committee be approved and tha…”

Licence variation granted with external-area condition

The sub-committee approved the premises licence variation for Hush Heath Winery, but added a new safeguard. Alcohol must not be served for consumption in external areas of the premises beyond 9pm. Thi…

“to start with we have considered all of the evidence and wanted to thank all parties who attended we recognize the important role that they play in th…”

Gypsy and Traveller DPD withdrawn

Cabinet agreed not to progress the Regulation 19 Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople DPD, to instruct officers to formally withdraw it, and to address the issue within the emerging local plan i…

“The distance between the council and the Planning Inspectorate is still so wide that there is no chance of meeting their deadline for submission of th…”

Withdraw Gypsy Traveller DPD

Council agreed to withdraw the Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document because updated evidence and government rule changes meant it could not be completed in time. The…

“Thank you very much Mr. Mayor. Um, very simple one here. For policy neatness, I need to formally move that officers be instructed to undertake the pro…”