Neighbourhood planning
Approved neighbourhood plans sit alongside the Local Plan to inform decisions on planning applications.
They give communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area. Plans must be led by parish or town councils or neighbourhood forums with the involvement of local stakeholder groups.
National planning policy
Neighbourhood plans must:
- comply with national planning policy and guidance
- be in general agreement with the strategic policies of the existing development plan for the area
Neighbourhood plans cannot be used to prevent development but can influence the type, design, location and mix of building or promote more development than is provided for in the Local Plan.
They are prepared in a similar way to local plans, but are subject to a local referendum.
Ditton Neighbourhood Area application
Ditton Parish Council applied to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council for the designation of a neighbourhood area under the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations (General) 2012. The area proposed covers the whole of the parished area of Ditton and is the first step for Ditton Parish Council in preparing a Neighbourhood Plan.
The application was approved on 24 June 2015.
See Ditton Neighbourhood Area application decision, approved map and report
West Malling Neighbourhood Area application
West Malling Parish Council applied to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council for the designation of a neighbourhood area under the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations (General) 2012. The area proposed covers the whole of the parished area of West Malling and is the first step for West Malling Parish Council in preparing a Neighbourhood Plan.
The application was approved on 6 September 2016.
See West Malling Neighbourhood Area application decision, approved map and report
Hildenborough Neighbourhood Area application
Hildenborough Parish Council applied to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council for the designation of a neighbourhood area under the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations (General) 2012. The area proposed covers the whole of the parished area of Hildenborough and is the first step for Hildenborough Parish Council in preparing a Neighbourhood Plan. The application was approved on 18 January 2021.
See Hildenborough Neighbourhood Area application decision, approved map and report