Cllr Wilby Elected to Lead Maidstone's Local Plan Steering Group Amid Mounting Housing Pressure
Maidstone Liberal Democrats are pleased to announce that Paul Wilby, Borough Councillor for Tovil Ward, has been elected as Chair of the influential Local Plan Steering Group, the cross‑party body responsible for supporting detailed development of Maidstone's new Local Plan.
Cllr Wilby brings extensive experience in community engagement, environmental stewardship, and strategic policy work. As Chair, he will lead the group's efforts to ensure that the Local Plan is robust, evidence‑based, and reflects the needs and aspirations of residents across the borough.
Speaking after his election, Cllr Wilby said:
"I'm honoured to take on this role at such a critical moment for Maidstone's future. The Local Plan shapes how our borough grows—its homes, infrastructure, environment, and local economy. My priority is to ensure that decisions are transparent, accountable, and grounded in what works for our communities.
I look forward to working constructively with councillors of all parties, officers, and residents to deliver a plan that is realistic, sustainable, and genuinely reflects local priorities."
The Liberal Democrat Group welcomed the appointment, highlighting Cllr Wilby's commitment to evidence‑based planning, environmental responsibility, and constructive cross‑party working.
A spokesperson for the Group said:
"Paul's leadership, attention to detail, and deep understanding of planning policy make him an excellent choice to chair the Steering Group. This is an important role for the borough, and we are confident he will bring clarity, balance, and a strong community voice to the process."
The importance of this role cannot be overstated. Maidstone Borough Council faces significant and growing pressure from Central Government to deliver thousands of new homes across the borough in the coming years — targets which cannot simply be ignored or deferred. How those homes are planned, where they are located, and what infrastructure and environmental protections accompany them will shape Maidstone for generations. A well-led, rigorous Local Plan is the single most powerful tool the Council has to manage that growth on its own terms, rather than having decisions imposed through speculative planning applications or appeal.
The risks of getting this wrong are clear. Where Local Plan processes have lacked proper cross-party oversight and structured scrutiny in recent years, the results have been weaker plans — more vulnerable to legal challenge, less responsive to community needs, and less effective at directing development to the right places. A strong Steering Group, with clear leadership and genuine cross-party commitment, is essential to ensuring Maidstone retains control of its own future.
Cllr Clive English Deputy Leader of Maidstone Borough Council added:
"The absence of effective cross-party oversight in recent years has contributed to poorer local plans elsewhere. Maidstone cannot afford to repeat those mistakes. Getting the right governance in place now is critical to delivering a plan that genuinely serves residents — not just housing targets.
It is also worth recognising that the establishment of this Steering Group did not happen by accident. Maidstone Liberal Democrats have long campaigned for the re-establishment of a dedicated Local Plans Group, understanding that robust, specialist oversight is essential to good planning outcomes. The formulation of this group was a key priority of the Council's Cabinet Member for Planning Policy and Management, and its creation reflects a genuine commitment to doing things properly this time.
Residents across Maidstone are already living with the consequences of housing growth that has not been properly supported by infrastructure. Kent County Council, under Conservative and now Reform administration, has consistently failed to deliver the traffic mitigation measures that were tied to housing development in the borough. At the same time, the previous Conservative-led Cabinet at Maidstone Borough Council failed to adequately scrutinise KCC's delivery — or lack of it — against its own commitments. Communities were promised improvements that never materialised, and they are still waiting.
A properly led, rigorously scrutinised Local Plan is how we begin to address that democratic deficit. Maidstone Liberal Democrats are committed to ensuring that when growth is planned, the infrastructure to support it is delivered — not just promised."
The Local Plan Steering Group will continue its work in the coming months as Maidstone progresses through the next stages of the Local Plan Review.
