Daffodils by the gateLamb with room to run.Headcorn High streetHyacinths at back doorKentish farm house in winter
THE WEALD OF KENT PROTECTION SOCIETY

PLANNING
"I have learnt to respect the vibrant and responsive attitude taken by the society over many issues both major and minor; if it had not been for its tactful approach, the Garden of England could have been desecrated."

Sir John Grugeon. Former County Councillor for Tenterden
Biddenden
Apple blossom in the garden of England
Windmill at Cranbrook
Hops for kentish beer
The planning committee is the core of the Society's work. Through its team of scrutineers, it reviews the list of planning applications from the three Borough Councils which cover the Weald. In most cases no comment or objection is submitted. Occasionally outright objections are made if the scrutineer concerned feels that the application does not comply with planning policy or is in someway detrimental to the environment. Frequently comments are sent in when the application is acceptable in principle but would be improved by the use of more appropriate materials, for instance, or by the development being scaled down.
The scrutineer's views are based, not on personal preference, but on the "Scrutineers Guide", a set of WKPS guidance notes, regularly updated to incorporate the latest planning policies and regulations. Particularly knotty cases are discussed at the monthly WKPS planning meetings.
Kitchen garden Charing
Biddenden

Planning meetings are held in different villages each month. Sometimes outside visitors are invited to attend such as the chairman of the parish council. It is the work of this committee that the Society's reputation for reliability, consistency and knowledgeability is based.

"That the Weald of Kent has maintained its distinctive character, with more often than not, new developments being sensitively handled, is a tremendous credit to the commitment of WKPS and especially the dedicated teams of scrutineers who have offered views on countless planning applications over the past four decades."

Trevor Gasson. Director of Planning and Development, Maidstone Borough Council