News

YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE A SAY ON HOUSING AND THE COUNTRYSIDE

People living in Shepway are being asked what they think about housing and protection of the countryside.

Residents can air their views about the South East Regional Assembly's draft South East Plan at a public meeting organised by Kent County Council. The meeting, at Shepway Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, on Monday 28 February, starts at 7pm.

The draft plan includes policies for housing, transport, the economy, coast and countryside, town centres and waste to the year 2026. Three options have been put forward for housing across the region - 32,000, 28,000 or 25,500 additional homes every year. The current build rate is moving up to about 28,000 a year.

KCC and the district councils will prepare further planning advice for the regional assembly about the number of houses and services needed to support them in north Kent, east Kent and the rest of the county.

KCC is giving everyone with an interest in Kent's future the opportunity to comment at public meetings countywide. More information is available on 01622 221609, e-mail seplan@kent.gov.uk, online at www.kent.gov.uk/seplan or fax 01622 221635. You can comment via the website about how the plan affects Kent and the further advice KCC is giving the regional assembly.

Copies of the South East Plan are at County Hall, Maidstone, main Kent libraries and district council offices. More than 500 local organisations, including housing developers and amenity groups, are being encouraged to comment.

A meeting of representatives from all parish and town councils on 18 February hosted by KCC will consider the plan. Kent Youth County Council will also consider it on 20 March.

Comments on the South East Plan should be made to the Regional Assembly. You can see the plan online at the assembly's website, www.southeastra.gov.uk/southeastplan. You can comment on 01843 555 208 (24 hour information line). You can also e-mail the assembly direct at plan@southeast-ra.gov.uk or write to The Secretariat, the South East Plan, South East England Regional Assembly, Berkeley House, Cross Lanes, Guildford GU1 1UN.

KCC Leader Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart said: "The county council has succeeded in curbing SEERA's wish to consult on much higher increases in housing. We achieved this with the support of other county councils and district councils in the south east.

"KCC has already planned for all the extra houses that are needed for Kent's young people, first-time buyers, more and more elderly people, and others who are choosing to live alone. However, there has to be a limit to the extent and speed with which the south east is asked to accommodate people moving out from the cities, the north and from abroad."