Changes to an M2 junction are included in a new consultation on a borough’s Local Plan.

Previously planning inspector David Spencer had issued for public consultation the “Main Modifications” that he proposed would be necessary changes to Maidstone council’s planning blueprint to make it acceptable.

But at the time, last November, he said he would not need comments on the supporting technical documents, which were the council’s updates to its Infrastructure Delivery Plan, Integrated Transport Strategy and Viability Assessment.

The Integrated Transport Strategy includes proposals for bus services and road improvements to make the Heathlands Garden Community workable.

The Viability Assessment seeks to show that projected housing targets for Invicta Barracks, Heathlands and Lidsing (of 1,300, 5,000 and 2,000 homes respectively) are achievable.

However, some people did also comment on those documents – among them Kent County Council, Lenham Parish Council, Homes England and planning agents David Hicken Associates.

For the sake of fairness, the inspector has decided that everybody should now have the chance to comment on those documents. Responses are now sought before a 5pm deadline on February 14.

The documents can be found here – but you have to click on the tab labelled “Inspector's Consultation on Technical Documents 2024.”

The relevant documents are labelled ED126, ED127 and ED128.

Anyone who has already commented on those documents does not need to do so again.

However, in addition, there is a new piece of evidence – a transport assessment of the capacity of Junction 3 on the M2. It is document number ED135.

It is of particular relevance to the proposed Garden Village settlement of 2,000 homes at Lidsing.

The 182-page document prepared by the council’s agents Stantec proposes changes to the lane layout at both the Lord Lees and Taddington roundabouts and uses modelling measures to conclude that with such mitigations, the junction could cope with the traffic from the new homes.

Again the public can give their views on this document, with the same deadline.

Comments should be emailed to the examination programme officer, Louise St John Howe, on louise@poservices.co.uk

Mr Spencer said: “As the examination is at a very late stage, there will be no extension of the deadline stated and any late submissions will not be considered.”

He warned: “Any representations which do not adhere to the guidelines will not be taken into account.”

Cllr Paul Cooper, Maidstone’s cabinet member for planning, said: “We welcome the inspector’s decision as this will help ensure that the Local Plan Review is given as much protection as possible against any potential technical challenges.”

The examination of the Local Plan Review has already been going on for two years.