The Rough Draft is launched … The NDP Steering Group have spent late January and early February working to finalise the first draft plan in time for its publication. The plan covers the five main areas of activity for the NDP and although we have been sharing progress of each group at Steering Group meetings,Read more about 23 February: Planning for Publication[…]

The first NDP Steering Group meeting was held on 12 October 2017.  At the time we hoped to get a plan all wrapped up within six months. Jim Boot, our experienced consultant said it would take two years.  As I write this in mid-January 2019 and I can report we are not quite at the beginning ofRead more about The end of the beginning … initial consultation launch[…]

In the light of Paul’s  request for your comments on the Key Criteria in the Parish Magazine, and here on the website there are a couple of things which might be good to clarify especially as the NDP reaches the drafting stage. There are a number of misapprehensions swirling about as to what is orRead more about Drafting the NDP …[…]

In November’s magazine month Paul Tolhurst, Chair of the Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) Steering Committee outlined our current thinking and asked for alternative suggestions and constructive solutions. In the November edition Kent Barker (who has a site under consideration by the NDP) asked him to comment on a couple. KB Paul, I know you’ve workedRead more about Debating our approach to development[…]

Benenden is fortunate in having had recreation grounds and allotments in Benenden and Iden Green settled on the village by Viscount Rothermere and the St George’s Building and the village green by the Earl of Cranbrook.  At last Kent County Council are providing Benenden with a new primary school so the school will no longerRead more about Ways and means: infrastructure improvements[…]

It was great to see so many people at the village update at the Iden Green Pavilion on 29 September.  For all the groups involved in the Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) it was encouraging that so many people attended and wanted to know about the work that had been done since the last consultation inRead more about Sites and sounds from the NDP update[…]

On 29 September 2018 the Neighbourhood Planning Team updated the parish through a second exhibition, held at Iden Green Pavilion and attended by 97 people, including residents, landowners and a senior member of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s planning team. One question raised there covered a rather important issue concerning future housing developments: why are theRead more about Autumn, and a update for the Village[…]

Having spent the best part of 4 months away from Benenden on business I resumed my duties as Chair of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee on 11 September.  At our meeting we reviewed progress of each Working Group, agreed how best to present an update on progress to residents of the Parish, confirmed outstanding workRead more about Getting Back in the Swing – October Update[…]

Our next event is on Saturday, 29th September, in the Iden Green Pavilion. It’s a drop-in exhibition, so pop along between 10 and 12 am to see the latest update from each of the Working Groups.  Each Group is starting to pull together the work they’ve done over the summer into draft Policies that willRead more about 29th September – Village Update[…]

All the attention has so far been on the planning aspects of the Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP). However, it has other important sides to it, not the least of which is the impact of any development on the environment. The residents of Benenden have clearly stated, several times, that one of their top priorities is to preserve theRead more about Thinking of View …[…]