Local Development Framework UpdateHouse Building pic

   Issue 21 – January 2012

Welcome to this latest edition of the Development Update. This newsletter will provide you with the latest position on some of the main documents contained within the Local Development Framework (LDF) and how things are progressing. It will also detail some major applications that have been   received and/or permitted since the last update published in August 2011.

 

UPDATE ON LDF DOCUMENTS

Annual Monitoring Report

The council has recently published its Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) which covers the period from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011.

 

The report measures various indicators to assess the performance of planning policies set out in the adopted Core Strategy and all other documents within the Local Development Framework.

 

It also incorporates a section on the Local Development Scheme, with the information being current as at November 2011. Progress on LDF documents since then is provided below.

 

A copy of the report can be viewed or downloaded from the Annual Monitoring Report webpage

 

Urban Sites and Infrastructure Development Plan Document (DPD)

This document has gone through a series of consultations, the most recent being on the proposed changes to the DPD which took place between Friday 21st October 2011 and Friday 2nd December 2011.

 

We are now in the process of reviewing the comments that have been received on the proposed changes and are aiming to formally submit the document to the Secretary of State in February 2012, with the examination likely to be held in May / June 2012 and adoption of the plan before the end of the year.

 

Further information can be found on the Urban Sites and Infrastructure DPD webpage

 

Policy U22 – Conningbrook Strategic Park

 

A website has been developed by the Brett Group, as the major land owner and a partner in the Conningbrook Lakes project. As the owner of some 80 per cent of the site, Brett has been in discussion with the council since the park was first conceived in 2000. The website http://www.conningbrooklakes.info/ is an important step by the company in making emerging information available to the wider community and inviting questions and comments prior to its planning application being submitted later this year. The website will evolve in stages as more information becomes available.

 

Chilmington Green/Discovery Park Area Action Plan (AAP)

Work is progressing on this AAP with an anticipated date of March / April 2012, for the 6 week public consultation on the draft document.

 

Further information can be found on the Chilmington Green/Discovery Park AAP webpage

 

Residential Space and Layout Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

This SPD was adopted by the Council in October 2011.

 

This document sets out in detail the Council’s minimum standards for living space and layout for both privately and publicly funded residential developments in order to comply with Policy CS9 (Design Quality) of the Core Strategy. The quality of life of residents is very important and the Council must ensure that all new residential developments provide an adequate living space.

 

Further information can be found on the Residential Space and Layout SPD webpage

 

Sustainable Design and Construction SPD

Following recent changes within the field of Sustainable Design and Construction, most notably the revised Building Regulations (2010) and recent Government announcements on a definition of a zero carbon home, the Council are now proposing to amend the adopted Sustainable Design and Construction SPD to align with these changes and are therefore consulting on the proposed amendments.

 

The draft Sustainable Design and Construction SPD is the subject of a six week period of public consultation running from from Friday 16th December 2011 to Friday 27th January 2012.

 

Further information can be found on the Sustainable Design and Construction SPD webpage

 

Green Spaces and Water Environment SPD

This document will set out standards for particular facilities across the Borough including the standards for open space provision, play and leisure as well as taking forward the aspirations for key ‘green’ infrastructure and the water environment set out within the Core Strategy. The creation of an integrated and connected network of green spaces is needed to help serve the recreational needs of the community and enhancing biodiversity. Consultation on the Draft SPD is now planned for late Feb / early March 2012.

 

MAJOR PLANNING APPLICATIONS

We have provided below a list of some of the major planning applications that have been received / decided since the last Development Update, along with a brief summary of the proposal.

 

If you wish to view more details on any of these applications, please go to the ‘View Planning Applications’ page of our website and enter the relevant application number.

Town Centre Sites

Former Powergen Site, Victoria Road, Ashford Kent – Details Approved (11/00629/AS)

At the December planning committee, approval was given for the Reserved Matters application for Phase 1 comprising details of appearance, landscaping and scale for a food store, other retail uses, car parking (including Town Centre car park), temporary community room, business and institutional uses and a CHP plant.

 

Land at junction of Dover Place and, Station Road, Ashford, Kent – Outline Planning Permission Granted (11/00382/AS)
Outline planning permission was granted in October for the first phase of  Ashford’s new commercial quarter. This is for a mixed use development of offices and retail units in Dover Place car park.

 

SouthKent Collegeof Technology, Elwick Road, Ashford – Permission Granted (11/00757/AS)

In September, the council approved plans by K College to construct a new campus on the corner of Elwick Road and Station Road, on the site of the college's old derelict building which has been out of use for a number of years.

Urban Sites

Phase 1 Waterbrook Park, Waterbrook Avenue, Sevington – Application Received (11/01330/AS)

An application to extend the time period relating to application number 07/01188/AS has been received. This is for the development of a vehicle testing facility, a vehicle and plant storage/maintenance facility and class B1, B2 and B3 small business units together with associated highway and earthworks.

 

Land south west of Butt Field Road, Singleton – Application Received (11/01045/AS)

Outline planning application received for the erection of up to 14 dwellings.

 

Ashford HospitalNHS Trust, Kings Avenue, Ashford – Application Received (11/01328/AS)

Reserved matters application received for access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for 63 dwellings, associated parking and refurbishment of the existing hospital building to an office use.

 

Land parcels 16 and 13a - former Rowcroft and Templer Barracks site (Repton Park), Templer Way, Ashford – Details Approved (10/01046/AS)

Reserved matters application has been approved for the construction of 63 dwellings (including 9 live/work units).

 

Land parcel 29 - former Rowcroft and Templer Barracks site (Repton Park), Templer Way, Ashford – Application Received (11/01399/AS)

Reserved matters application received for development on parcel 29 (Phase 2B South) for 49 dwellings, together with associated car parking, landscaping and infrastructure.

 

Land Parcel 9, Phase 4 - Park Farm East, Hamstreet Bypass, Kingsnorth – Details approved (10/01725/AS)

Reserved matters application for appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of Parcel 9 on Phase 4 for 21 dwellings (including affordable housing) and Local Park together with associated infrastructure, at Park Farm East.

 

Land south of the Warren and east of Maidstone Road, Fougeres Way, Ashford – Permission Granted (11/00932/AS)

Plans to construct a 5,390sqm retail unit just off junction 9 M20 for a ‘John Lewis at Home’ store, have been permitted.

Rural Sites

Land west of Bourne Lane and north east of 25 Lancaster Close, Hamstreet –  Application Received (11/01388/AS)

An application has been received for the erection of 64 dwellings together with public open space, landscaping, garaging and access.

 

Land between Cheeselands and Sandeman Way, Biddenden – Permission Granted (10/01246/AS)

Planning permission has been granted for a residential development comprising of 2 x two bedroom houses, 4 x three bedroom houses and 4 x four bedroom houses.

 

CCL Labels, Ashford Business Park, Foster Road, Sevington – Permission Granted (11/00483/AS)

Planning permission has been granted for the erection of an industrial extension, provision of associated parking, driveway and new vehicular access.

 

Land between, 82-120 Front Road, Woodchurch – Application Received (11/01430/AS)

An application has been received for the erection of 12 dwellings together with

 

BUSINESS NEWS

In the December edition of Business News, John Lewis and K College are granted planning permission, the new Victoria Way opens and the first phase of Ashford's Commercial Quarter gets the go ahead.


View this eMagazine online at: http://businessnews.ashford.gov.uk/

 

Further information on the Local Development Framework is available from our ‘Planning Now and in the Future’ webpages. If you have any enquiries, please email the Policy team.