Ashford's Growth

Ashford has been identified as one of four major 'growth areas' for the South East in the Governments Sustainable Communities Plan. Ashford has a challenging timescale to accommodate 31,000 additional homes and 28,000 new jobs in the Borough by 2031.

This means that over the coming years there will be a substantial increase in the rate of house building and associated development such as schools and roads in the Borough, which will all need to be planned for. This requires the adoption of planning policies contained within the new Ashford Local Development Framework which covers the period to 2021.

Local Development Framework and timetable for production of documents

The Local Development Framework is the starting point for anyone wanting to find out about planning policies in respect to a particular place or issue, the status of those polices, and at what stage the public and stakeholders can get involved in the plan making process. The Local Development Scheme (LDS) sets out a three-year project plan for documents that Ashford Borough Council will produce as part of the Local Development Framework. 

View the Local Development Framework webpage for further information and to view the timetable

Consultation Portal

A new consultation portal has been launched which will enable residents, businesses and others to have their say on key planning issues and future developments in Ashford.

The online portal allows registered users to comment on Local Development Framework Documents when they are out at public consultation and to give us feedback about the growth of Ashford through questionnaires.

Key benefits of registering and making representations online include:

• Optional updates - of new documents available for consultation.
• Ability to view other consultees' representations - once they have been made.
• Search facility - to find representations on different levels of a particular document.
• Ability to update personal details instantly - in order to change your address or email.
• Option to specify preferences - on how you would prefer to be contacted.
• Time saved - by viewing documents/representations as soon as they are available.
• Environmental benefits - of using a paperless online system.

To register please visit the portal.

Please note that the option to view the documents in hard copy and make written representations will still be available during consultation periods.

The Tenterden and Rural Sites Development Plan Document is available for public consultation from Friday 16 May to Friday 11 July 2008. For further information please visit the portal or view the Tenterden and Rural Sites webpage. 

Statutory Development Plans for the Borough

The main statutory Development Plan in force for the Ashford Borough is:

• Ashford Borough Local Plan

In addition to this:

• Kent and Medway Structure Plan (July 2006)
• South East Plan (not yet adopted)
• Ashford Borough Council Core Strategy (adopted 10 July 2008)

To purchase copies of Planning Policy documents produced by Ashford Borough Council please view our Publications List.

For more information about Planning Policy, the Local Development Framework or the consultation portal please email Planning Policy.