Commenting on the start of the 'Call for Sites' stage of the Local Plan Review, Helen Grant MP said,
‘It is important to make clear that the Local Plan Review is only in its very early stages and that there are therefore no formal planning applications currently on the table. I will however be investigating in detail the specific suggestions which have been proposed in relation to the area close to Marden over the coming days. Furthermore, whilst, within my role as MP for Maidstone and the Weald, I have no direct jurisdiction over the planning system, I am absolutely committed to ensuring the views of my constituents are heard by Maidstone Borough Council as the Local Plan Review progresses. With this in mind, I look forward to meeting with the community groups involved in order to discuss their understandable concerns.
In addition, my long running campaign to persuade our Local Authorities of the need to ensure that any future development is accompanied by the required infrastructure continues apace and will be at the crux of any contribution I make to the Local Plan Review.’