Aldington & Bonnington and Tenterden Neighbourhood Plans Adopted

Ashford Borough Council has formally adopted the Aldington & Bonnington Neighbourhood Plan and the Tenterden Neighbourhood Plan.

Neighbourhood planning was introduced through the Localism Act 2011 and enables local communities to shape development and growth in their area through the production of:

• A Neighbourhood Development Plan
• A Neighbourhood Development Order, or;
• A Community Right to Build Order

A Neighbourhood Plan covers a geographic area and can be taken forward by town and parish councils or ‘neighbourhood forums’. A Neighbourhood Plan, if adopted, becomes part of the statutory development plan for that area and will be used in determining planning applications.

Aldington & Bonnington neighbourhood area

The Neighbourhood Plans were submitted in 2023 and subject to an independent examination.  The examinations concluded that subject to a number of modifications, the Neighbourhood Plans were considered sound and should proceed to referendum.

On the 15 August 2024, the Neighbourhood Plans were subject to local referendums. For the Aldington & Bonnington Neighbourhood Plan, a total of 90% voted in favour of the plan.  For the Tenterden Neighbourhood Plan, a total of 88% voted in favour of the plan.

Tenterden neighbourhood area 

Following the successful referendums, the Local Planning Authority is required to formally ‘make’ (i.e. adopt) the Plan, which grants the Neighbourhood Plan Development Plan status for decision making purposes.

The Aldington & Bonnington Neighbourhood Plan 2011 – 2030 will apply to the whole of Aldington and Bonnington parishes. The Tenterden Neighbourhood Development Plan 2013 – 2030 will apply to the whole Tenterden parish.

More information on the adopted Aldington & Bonnington and Tenterden Neighbourhood Plans can be viewed online via their dedicated web pages.