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Planning overview

A great deal of the Parish Council's time is spent on planning issues, considering both the here and now and the future of the parish. The Parish Council does not approve or refuse planning applications, we are a statutory consultee and comment on the effect planning applications would have on our residents and the local area, using planning policy to guide us. 

Parish Council planning meetings are always open to the public and advertised in advance on our website and the Church Street noticeboard. Do come along and make your views known.

Information from Maidstone Borough Council below on changes to the planning process.

https://news.maidstone.gov.uk/home/news/26/october/planning-update

We would like to make you aware of significant national changes to the planning system which come into effect from 31 October 2026.

The changes have been introduced by the Government and will apply to all local planning authorities in England. They affect how planning applications are determined and the circumstances in which applications can be considered by Planning Committee.

The most important message for residents is that decision-making for Planning Committee is changing. The public's ability to comment on a planning application is not.

Residents will still be able to submit comments on planning applications and relevant planning matters raised during consultation will continue to be considered as part of the decision-making process.

What is changing?

Under the new national framework:
• Some types of planning application must be determined by planning officers and cannot be referred to Planning Committee.
• Other applications will normally be determined by planning officers unless they meet specific national criteria for referral to committee.
• Councillor and Parish Council call-in powers are removed under the new national changes.
• The council will be required to publish information about applications considered for referral to committee, including the outcome and reasons for the decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Maidstone Borough Council introducing these changes?
No. These are national changes introduced by the Government and will apply to councils across England.

Will residents still be able to comment on planning applications?
Yes. Residents will continue to be able to submit comments on planning applications and relevant planning matters raised during consultation will still be considered before a decision is made.

Do residents still have a voice in the planning process?
Yes. Public consultation remains an important part of the planning process and comments received will continue to inform planning decisions. The ability for residents, Parish Council or other interested parties to speak for 3 minutes at a committee meeting is not changing

Can councillors still call applications into Planning Committee?
No. The new national rules remove councillor and Parish Council call-in powers.

Will Planning Committee still exist?
Yes. MBC Planning Committee will continue to operate and consider applications that meet the criteria set out within the new national framework.

If lots of people object to an application, will it go to Planning Committee?
Not automatically. Under the new rules, applications will not be referred to committee solely because a certain number of objections have been received.

Who decides whether an application goes to Planning Committee?
The new national framework sets out which applications must be determined by officers and which may be considered for referral to committee. The new rules require the delegated officer (Head of Planning) and delegated member (Chair of Planning) to decide what goes to committee, based on the criteria.

What types of applications will be decided by officers?
Examples include many householder applications, smaller developments and other applications that fall within nationally prescribed categories.

Will decisions be transparent?
Yes. The council will publish information about applications considered for referral to committee, including the outcome and reasons for the decision.

When do the changes come into effect?
The new arrangements take effect from 31 October 2026. All current applications that are not on the published agenda for the October planning committee will be considered under the new system. All existing Councillor and Parish Council committee call in requests can no longer be accommodated.