Community benefits
Economic Benefits
The proposed development will provide economic benefits through the construction and operational phase of the development through the delivery of new homes.
The construction of the development will generate jobs and bring economic benefits, namely through the labour needed to deliver the homes and infrastructure and associated jobs through the supply chain including. the provision of materials and services. In addition increased expenditure in the local economy will be generated both as a direct result of the development, and also indirectly by those employed spending money within the local economy.
In the longer term, the development will support the economic health and well-being of the local area by ensuring that there is high-quality housing to support the growth of existing business and to assist in attracting new businesses to the area.
Open space
Ensuring our residents and the local community have access to beautiful green open spaces is a key consideration.
Similar to the illustrative layout from the approved outline planning application, the proposed development incorporates a number of green spaces, including a “Community Village Green”, which frames either side of the apartment buildings.
There are also smaller areas of open space which extend into the development and include retained trees and hedges.
In the south of the site, there is an extensive area of open space, which will include a series of Sustainable Urban Drainage (SuDs) features which will be integrated into the wider landscape and ecological strategy.
As a whole, the proposed development is oriented to address public open spaces and roads embodying secure by design principles.
Community Facilities
Maidstone Borough Council applies a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which will provide financial contributions towards enhancing the provision of local infrastructure.
In addition, via the legal agreement accompanying the approved outline planning permission (Section 106 Agreement), we will provide financial contributions towards the following:
- Contribution towards the replacement of Southons Field Pavillion or an alternative facility in the Parish of Marden;
- Provision of child and young persons play;
- A proportion of the CIL funds are given to the Parish Council;
- Contributions towards primary, secondary and special education needs provision; and
- Contribution towards improvement to Public Right of Way (PROW) KM281.
Sustainability
We’re committed to building greener, healthier homes for us all.
The proposed development will be sustainably constructed, adopting a fabric first approach to improve the thermal and energy efficiency of the homes. All of the homes will have EV charging and be fitted with energy saving and water efficient appliances.
In line with current Building Regulations, all homes will also be fitted with air source heat pumps or solar panels.
