More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Controversial housing reforms proposed by the Conservative Government have been opposed by multiple Tory Kent councils.
East Kent council officials in Dover and Folkestone have publicly voiced their angst over the potential sweeping changes to the way the planning system is run by local authorities.
The Conservative council administrations of Dover and Folkestone have said Prime Minister Boris Johnson's proposals to streamline planning schemes would undermine democratic accountability of the system.
Opposing the reforms, Cllr Nicholas Kenton (Con), who is Dover District Council's cabinet member for planning, said: "When it comes to the planning committee, I think that is the point when the local community can get involved and try and influence the decisions.
"Strengthening that would be eminently sensible in the democratic process."
His comments came earlier today (Oct 19) during a 10-minute virtual cabinet meeting where Dover council officials voiced their concerns about the potential negative impacts on around 117,000 residents in the district.
Under the new method, Kent would see a significant rise in the number of houses that need to be delivered each year, increasing from 10,411 to 13,372, marking a significant growth of 31.9%.
It would mean a huge jump in housing targets for several areas, with the biggest effects in Dover, which would see a substantial rise of 115% to its current house building targets.
The Government consultation proposes that Dover would be required to deliver 1,279 homes each year, rising from the current annual total of 596.
A private briefing was held with 19 Dover councillors last Tuesday (Oct 13) to discuss the key issues and major implications for the east Kent area.
Dover council's head of planning, Lois Jarrett, who raised concerns at cabinet earlier today, said: "Community consultation at the planning application stage provides valuable local information that positively influences the final outcome of development."
"Community consultation at the planning application stage provides valuable local information that positively influences the final outcome of development..."
Meanwhile, Folkestone and Hythe District Council's 30 councillors have been told about the authority's objections, including the "evasion" of proper public scrutiny for developments fast-tracked through by council officers.
Folkestone council bosses said it would be a "backward step" to scrap a fee paid to the authority by developers that are given planning permission in exchange for community-based schemes, such as NHS services and schools.
The pressing issue will be discussed by its nine-person Tory cabinet at a pubic meeting on Wednesday (Oct 21) from 5pm ahead of the council's consultation submission to Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick.
Cllr Roger Gough (Con), the leader of another Kent Conservative authority, said the proposed reforms unveiled by the Tory Government could cost his 64-strong county council party "dearly"in the forthcoming election next May.
Last week, a leaked letter showed that the Sevenoaks and Darent Valley county councillor had sent a letter to 16 Tory MPs warning them. He urged them to lobby the Prime Minister to change his mind.
However, Mr Johnson has stated that more construction is needed to rebuild the economy.
His aim is to speed up house building in England, with the target of 300,000 homes a year, and create a simplified planning system.
People can respond to the Government's white paper on the proposed reforms by clicking here by Thursday, October 29.
