Consent sought for Manston Airport reopening

After months of waiting, the latest battle lines for Manston Airport now appear to have been drawn. RiverOak Strategic Partners has submitted an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO), which if approved could lead to the reopening of the airport.

However, to use Winston Churchill’s words: “Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” The DCO process is not a quick one.

Thanet faces Local Plan intervention

Despite the recent demise of the country’s only UKIP-led council and return to conservative majority-power, housing secretary of state Sajid Javid has announced that Thanet District Council faces central government intervention in its local plan-making process.

Tunbridge Wells lands a retail heavyweight

In recent weeks we’ve seen depressing announcements heralding the death of major household names. Others, such as Carpetright, New Look and Prezzo, have done some serious self-treatment and slashed their stores in order to stop haemorrhaging cash. But it's not all bad news.

NPPF review – what could it all mean?

The dust has just about settled on the NPPF review announcement. Maxim's Andrew Metcalf has taken time out to do a quick assessment of some of the key points for Kentcentric and reviewed some of the reviews, about the review, if that makes sense.

Kent's villages could see more homes being built

In something new for Kentcentric, we're going to be asking leading experts in the Kent planning, property and development sector to give us their views on key questions.

CPRE's legal bid to stop Woodcut axed

Development at Junction 8 of the M20, the site of the notoriously controversial former Kent International Gateway proposals, is now a step closer.

Marks & Spencer’s plans for Maidstone go public

Proposals to create a new Marks & Spencer store at Eclipse Park, near junction 7 of the M20, are to go on show to the public later this month.

Is Thanet set for Government takeover?

The deadline has passed for the 15 English councils named and shamed as tardy plan-makers to persuade Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, not to intervene.

College merger creates significant property portfolio

Just announced by the Further Education community is the completion of the merger of Canterbury College and East Kent College.

Plans to double size of Ashford International Truckstop stack-up

With the issue of illegal parking in Kent and the future solution for Operation Stack high on the agenda, there’s good news from Ashford.

South East secures Housing Infrastructure Funding

There’s good news for 13 projects across the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) area, as the Government is giving them a share of more than £82m from the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF).

New Lower Thames Crossing gets the green light

An important next step in relieving the burden of the M25 congestion caused in and around Dartford – and strengthening the transport links to our Channel ports – has been taken, with the announcement by the Secretary of State that the green light has been given for a new Lower Thames Crossing east of Gravesend.

Council caught between a rock and a hard place in battle for Gibraltar Farm

Communities secretary Sajid Javid has endorsed his planning inspector’s recommendation and granted permission for 450 new homes at Gibraltar Farm, at Hempstead in Medway, despite major local opposition.

Capacity cash on its way to two Kent councils

Two Kent local authorities have managed to get their hands on part of a new £16.5 million pot of funding to support housebuilding.

£125m deal agreed for Chilmington Green

Kentcentric understands that a deal – equivalent to £21,739 per house for each of the 5,750 homes proposed for Chilmington Green – has been signed between Ashford Borough Council, Kent County Council and the developers behind it.