Housing Opportunities in North East Kent
A group of officers from Kent County Council, Canterbury City Council, and Dover and Thanet District Counncils have been in discussions over the past 18 months with a major local employer ( Pfizer Ltd ) about the realities and perceptions of the supply of housing available in the area. These discussions have resulted in a report entitled "Housing Opportunities in North East Kent". It draws on factual information from existing published sources regarding housing opportunities currently available, in the pipeline or supported by existing planning policies. It provides information on the availability of community, social and transport infrastructure in the various towns and villages in the area as well as inlcuding a list of prime housing sites.
The report is accompanied by a questionnaire seeking views from developers on the document itself, on how the planning system is responding to market requirements and on how problems and opportunities are perceived in North East Kent. There is a suggestion at further liaison and dialogue with the industry in the form of a seminar to be arranged later in the year.
Members with interests in North East Kent are urged to respond to this consultation as HBF is unable to give a detailed market perspective on the housing situation in the area. Many Members will have been consulted directly by the County Council. For those who have not received a copy of the report, they are available from Julian Dipper at the County. His telephone number is 01622 221607 ( e-mail julian.dipper@kent.gov.uk ).
The original consultation period was only some two weeks in length and ends on 4th July. However, in view of the importance of this document in setting the future policy agenda for the review of the Structure Plan and local plans in Kent, HBF contacted the County Council to seek an extended period for responses. It was confirmed that late responses would be considered but they still would like responses as soon as possible.
Contact: Pete Errington, Regional Planner, HBF Southern Region
Telephone 023 8025 4956. E-mail Pete.Errington@hbf.co.uk