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The Parish Council email address has changed to:  [email protected]

 

Changes to the Planning System

A Message From Maidstone Borough Council

Planning system update

We would like to make you aware of significant national changes to the planning system which come into effect from 31 October 2026.

The changes have been introduced by the Government and will apply to all local planning authorities in England. They affect how planning applications are determined and the circumstances in which applications can be considered by Planning Committee.

The most important message for residents is:  Decision-making for Planning Committee is changing. The public's ability to comment on a planning application is not.

Residents will still be able to submit comments on planning applications and relevant planning matters raised during consultation will continue to be considered as part of the decision-making process.

What is changing?

Under the new national framework:

• Some types of planning application must be determined by planning officers and cannot be referred to Planning Committee.
• Other applications will normally be determined by planning officers unless they meet specific national criteria for referral to committee.
• Councillor and Parish Council call-in powers are  removed under the new national changes.
• The council will be required to publish information about applications considered for referral to committee, including the outcome and reasons for the decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Maidstone Borough Council introducing these changes?

No. These are national changes introduced by the Government and will apply to councils across England.

Will residents still be able to comment on planning applications?

Yes. Residents will continue to be able to submit comments on planning applications and relevant planning matters raised during consultation will still be considered before a decision is made.

Do residents still have a voice in the planning process?

Yes. Public consultation remains an important part of the planning process and comments received will continue to inform planning decisions. The ability for residents, Parish Council or other interested parties to speak for 3 minutes at a committee meeting is not changing.

Can councillors still call applications into Planning Committee?

No. The new national rules remove councillor and Parish Council call-in powers.

Will Planning Committee still exist?

Yes. Planning Committees will continue to operate and consider applications that meet the criteria set out within the new national framework.

If lots of people object to an application, will it go to Planning Committee?

Not automatically. Under the new rules, applications will not be referred to committee solely because a certain number of objections have been received.

Who decides whether an application goes to Planning Committee?

The new national framework sets out which applications must be determined by officers and which may be considered for referral to committee. The new rules require the delegated officer (Head of Planning) and delegated member (Chair of Planning) to decide what goes to committee, based on the criteria.

What types of applications will be decided by officers?

Examples include many householder applications, smaller developments and other applications that fall within nationally prescribed categories.

Will decisions be transparent?

Yes. The council will publish information about applications considered for referral to committee, including the outcome and reasons for the decision.

When do the changes come into effect?

The new arrangements take effect from 31 October 2026.   All current applications that are not on the published agenda for the October planning committee will be considered under the new system. All existing Councillor and Parish Council committee call in requests can no longer be accommodated. 

 

Important Notice

Parish.UK Network Website

It has come to the attention of Parish Clerks in the country that a website has been set up by Parish.UK Network, which implies it is working in conjunction with Parish Councils.  The information on the website is inaccurate and is not linked in anyway to Local Government offices.  It has been reported that, in some areas, the site requests users to sign up to their directory, which can entail costs, thinking that the money will go to their local Parish Council.  This is not the case and we would ask that the site is not accessed (and no payments made) to protect residents in the village.  

Parish.UK Network is a fraudulent website, which is being investigated by the National Trading Standards E-Crime Team.

This website is the only one used by the Parish Council and all information is kept as up to date as possible.  If you have any concerns, then please contact the Parish Clerk  ([email protected])

 

 

About West Farleigh

West Farleigh is a village and civil parish southwest of Maidstone in the county of Kent. The parish has a population of approximately 450 and is bounded by the civil parishes of East Farleigh, Hunton, Yalding, and over the River Medway by Wateringbury, Teston and Barming.

The village boasts three pubs; the White House, The Tickled Trout and The Good Intent. Adjacent to the church is the village cricket ground. The village is twinned with the northern German village of Ringstedt, near Bremerhaven.

The sports club runs a football section involving two senior Saturday sides, a veterans' side, and five junior sides which play their home games at Elmscroft Park, Charlton Lane. An annual tour that was once mainly between the village football teams and that of Ringstedt, but now includes many from the wider community; this has been an ongoing event, and ever flourishing, since 1988. The cricket section of the sports club runs two senior teams, mainly on Saturdays, one playing in the Kent County Village League.

The primary school, which had two classrooms, closed in 1976. One of its two teachers at the time, was Miss Whittle, the niece of Sir Frank Whittle, co-inventor of the jet engine. The village's post office and only stores closed in 1976.

All Saints church dates back to the 11th century. West Farleigh Hall dates from 1719. Both buildings are Grade I listed buildings. One of the treasures of the church is a cross, of bronze, brass and wood with emblems of the evangelists; it was buried nearby, probably by the last pre-Reformation vicar to save it from confiscation, and was not found for nearly 300 years. It is now in the British Museum but there is a painting in the chancel.

Regular emails are sent out to share news and updates of village events from the village website The Farleighs. 

Also, the village's free Parish Magazine "Life-Line" is produced monthly, and distributed to all households in the village.

 

If you have any queries, please contact the Parish Clerk, Amanda Broadhurst

Email: [email protected]