Development and Planning

Links to large or contentious current planning applications will be available on the Home Page of the website.

Unfortunately it is not possible to provide details of every application within the two parishes, and during the last year alone there were 151 applications for Bearsted and 40 for Thurnham.

However details of local planning proposals are attached in a convenient location near to the application site and some residents in the immediate area may receive written notification from Maidstone Borough Council’s Planning Department, although there is no legal requirement to do so.

Members are encouraged to visit Maidstone Borough Council’s Planning website where they can view and comment on applications.

This link will take you to a “Simple” search page and entering a postcode in the last box on the page will bring up all applications in that location.

For a more specific search select the “Advanced” tab, select your “Parish” from the drop down list and enter a “Date Received” by clicking the calendar icon to the right of the box.

If you leave the “to:” box empty all applications from your chosen start date up until today’s date will be displayed.

If you click on an application that appears on your results page the “Application Summary” will be displayed.

Clicking on “Documents” will display a list of drawings, comments and reports relevant to the application and you can download those you have selected or view them singly.

If you want to comment on an application select the “Comments” tab, but you will need to register with Maidstone Borough Council before you can use this service. Registering does have the added advantage of allowing you to “Track” an application, which means you will be informed if the status of an application changes.

If you prefer to submit a comment on a planning application by email or in writing please read the guidance notes published by Maidstone Borough Council

The Society recommends that members should contact the Society Secretary if they have concerns regarding an application.

While the Society aims to scrutinise applications and register any serious issues with the local authority it does expect to work in support of and alongside residents.

The Society liaises closely with the two Parish Councils and with our Borough Councillors to ensure that contentious applications are not decided by Council Officers under their delegated powers but are called in to the Council’s Planning Committee for decision.