Watch what happens in Swale, as it’s a tale that will be repeated often in the next few years. Here in Kent is a test of Labour’s determination to plough through local planning decisions in order to build the homes everyone knows are needed in a national housing crisis. The issue is this: in a time when localism is in vogue, who’s in charge? The democratically elected local council or the Westminster government elected on a key pledge to build 1.5m homes in five years? It’s also a question of the balance of power between developers and government: housebuilders need to make a profit, but they must be kept to their promises.
Two weeks ago, Swale borough council’s planning committee was meeting to vote on an application to build a garden village. The site for 8,400 new houses near Sittingbourne includes plans for affordable homes, schools, GP surgeries, shops, sheltered housing, upgraded railway stations and a crucial relief road.
