Revised scheme for former Royal Mail Sorting Office approved

During preparation of the current controversial Maidstone Local Plan Review under the previous Council the Sorting Office site was allocated up to 500 flats and commercial development.

Following expressions of concern by local residents and councillors regarding quality-of-life issues, a scheme eventually came forward for 217 units, but this was still a cramped and poorly designed proposal with little useable green space. It was overwhelmingly rejected by the Planning Committee who sought big changes.

Since then, the new Maidstone Council Cabinet took the whole scheme away and redesigned the proposal, removing the central tower block and inserting a large park (with space for trees, sport and play) at the centre of the site, and reducing the number of units down to 180. The Council is now negotiating with Homes England to secure affordable housing for local people and with the NHS to obtain much-needed town centre medical facilities.

At the most recent Planning Committee meeting the revised scheme was approved unanimously by the Committee.

Cllr. Tony Harwood Cabinet Member for Planning at Maidstone Council stated:

"I am under no illusions regarding the challenges arising from the trend towards high density housing in the town.

"We aim to make this development different by enabling delivery of high-quality green space, medical facilities and ensuring that local residents benefit from any new affordable accommodation".