The leader of Maidstone council’s Liberal Democrats has written to all the borough’s parish councils asking them to help protect the green spaces around the town.

Fran Wilson wants assistance to draw up a list of places that should be protected from future development.

She said: “The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) lays emphasis on three essential elements to achieve sustainable development: economic, social and environmental. It clearly states that these roles should not be undertaken in isolation, because they are mutually dependent.”

The Lib Dems believe the council’s Conservative administration is not giving enough
consideration to the sustainability of sites in its drive to provide 14,800 new homes
by 2031.

Councillor Wilson said: “We must find a five-year land supply, and we need to designate land for commercial development to balance housing growth, but we believe the council
has failed to do the necessary work in relation to protection of our green spaces.”

The NPPF states that when councils draw up local plans they should identify where
development would be inappropriate for environmental or historic reasons.

Councillor Wilson said: “This work cannot be tagged on at the end of designation of development sites, but should inform the process.

“It clearly should have been completed in advance of the call for housing sites or in tandem with it.

“Waiting on planning applications to come forward and then fighting a rearguard
action to protect the places most dear is a betrayal of local people.”

Councillor Wilson has asked parishes to respond by the start of August.

Maidstone council is insisting its 14,800 target is not fixed.

A council spokesman said: “A lot more work needs to be done to see if this figure is possible in terms of housing land supply and environmental constraints.”

The 200-odd sites put forward by developers would be assessed for issues such as flood risk and heritage impact before the cabinet decides on a preferred list in September, which would then be subject to public consultation.