Respond to the Heathlands SPD Consultation

Act Now to Protect Our Countryside

Deadline: 15 December 2025

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has launched a six-week public consultation on the Heathlands Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), a proposal that threatens to irreversibly change the character of our rural community.

Running from 3 November to 15 December 2025, this consultation covers plans for a massive development two and a half times the size of Mote Park on precious greenfield and farmland between Lenham and Charing in the heart of our countryside. The SPD outlines proposals for thousands of new homes, employment land, a new railway station, and large-scale infrastructure, all on land that has long been valued for its agricultural use, natural beauty, and contribution to our rural way of life.

Despite the dedicated efforts of Tom & Janetta Sams and Lenham Parish Council, who attempted to work with MBC for six months to ensure the SPD was properly prepared, the Council has chosen to publish a deeply flawed document. Even more concerning, key recommendations from the Planning Inspector – who examined the Local Plan – have been ignored.

This is not just a planning issue. It’s about the future of our community, our landscape, and our quality of life. The current SPD fails to meet national planning policy requirements and lacks the detail and rigour needed to justify such a significant development. If approved, it would lead to the destruction of valuable farmland, increased traffic, pressure on local services, and the erosion of the rural character that makes our area so special.

We must not let this go unchallenged.

Now is the time to act. Every resident has the right to speak up and your voice matters. By responding to this consultation, you can help show the Council that this proposal is not acceptable to the people who live here.

We’ve created a simple guide to help you write your response. It’s quick, easy, and vital.

Let’s stand together to protect our countryside. This is not a done deal. Your response can make a difference.

General tips

Use your own words: Share your genuine concerns about the proposed Heathlands scheme. Personalised responses carry more weight than copied or identical submissions.
Focus on the issues: There are 35 questions across four sections. You don’t need to answer all of them, just focus on the ones most relevant to your concerns.
Be clear and reasoned: While it’s natural to feel strongly, try to avoid overly emotional language. Responses that present clear, logical arguments and directly address the consultation questions are more likely to be taken seriously.
Include your full name and address: Anonymous responses will not be accepted.
Spread the word: Encourage your neighbours, friends, and family to respond. The more people who speak up, the stronger our collective voice becomes.
Numbers matter: A high volume of responses will demonstrate the strength of local opposition to this flawed proposal.

Background reading

Before responding to the consultation, read the draft SPD document and consider the questions being asked.

You can read the draft Heathlands SPD here.
Take a read of all the issues raised at the informal consultation held by MBC in May 2025, much of which we do not believe has been listened to.
The supporting evidence (including Transport Assessment used to inform the SPD can be viewed here under the ‘Supporting Information’ section at the bottom.

Objection Guide & Template Letter
We will shortly be providing a more detailed objections guide which will help you respond to the 35 questions of the consultation.

Where to send your response to the public consultation

Send in your response using the consultation portal – https://maidstone.oc2.uk/document/2
Alternatively, you can write a letter addressing the questions and either:
- Email it to ldf@maidstone.gov.uk
- Or post to Strategic Planning, Maidstone Borough Council, Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone, ME15 6JQ

Please send a copy of your response to saveourheathlands@gmail.com