Community sessions to discuss 2,000-home development

The Lidsing Garden Settlement will be located north of the M2 motorway

Two community sessions have been arranged for residents and businesses to share their ideas about a planned new housing development in Kent.

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has been advancing plans to build 2,000 new homes, and create the same number of jobs, as part of a new settlement in Lidsing, on the outskirts of Maidstone.

The Lidsing Garden Settlement will be located north of the M2 motorway, adjacent to the Medway Council area.

The development is also expected to provide a new primary school and medical facility by 2042, alongside cycling and walking links.

Council leader Stuart Jeffery said: "The council is starting to prepare a supplementary planning document for Lidsing, which will be informed by the contributions from local people, businesses and organisations to help shape the future expectations for the site."

The area was identified for major new development in the Local Plan Review 2021-2038, adopted by MBC in March 2024.

An attempt by campaigners to halt its progress through judicial review was unsuccessful.

A planning application will be submitted once a final supplementary planning document is adopted by MBC.

The sessions will be held on 6 March between 15:00 and 21:00 GMT and on 10 March between 11:00 and 13:00 at Blacksmith's Barn in Bredhurst.