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Land North of Marden
3rd March 2026
Update to Marden Parish Council’s previous statement dated 23rd February 2026 (see below).
Along with two borough councillors and representatives from several village organisations, members of Marden Parish Council attended a stakeholder workshop about the ‘Land North of Marden’ proposals on 27th February 2026.
This was arranged by the agents for Countryside Properties to explain their initial plans for the area shown in the EIA Scoping Report available via this link on the MBC website: 26/500615/EIASCO | EIA Scoping Opinion - Proposed construction of up to 1,100 homes together with land reserved for education, later living accommodation and local commercial/community uses, access, landscaping and other works. | Land North Of Marden Kent
There was also the opportunity to ask questions (although there are currently few definite answers) and highlight various issues of importance to village residents and local businesses.
Councillors are reviewing the EIA Scoping Report, but it’s important to note that this is a technical document for Maidstone Borough Council about the environmental impacts that may need to be considered during development of the proposals and there is no planning application at this stage.
It is understood that Countryside Properties plan to arrange various forms of public engagement in the late spring or early summer but it’s unlikely that more will be known before then.
Further details will be publicised when available via our website: Land North of Marden - Marden Parish Council - Marden Parish Council, Marden, Tonbridge , Facebook page ((1) Facebook), Weekly Village Round Up e-mails (contact [email protected] to sign up), printed Newsletter and notice boards, as appropriate.
Land North of Marden - Environmental Impact Assessment
Marden Parish Council statement - 23rd February 2026
Residents may be aware that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Opinion has just been submitted to Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) for a large site on land north of Marden.
This is an early step in the planning process and could potentially lead to a planning application in due course.
However, residents will probably recall that a similar process was started – but then abandoned – several years ago, so it cannot be assumed that a planning application will actually be submitted.
The only definite information available to the parish council at this stage is given via this link on the MBC website: 26/500615/EIASCO | EIA Scoping Opinion - Proposed construction of up to 1,100 homes together with land reserved for education, later living accommodation and local commercial/community uses, access, landscaping and other works. | Land North Of Marden Kent
Of course, the parish council is urgently trying to find out further details, and these will be publicised via our website (Land North of Marden - Marden Parish Council - Marden Parish Council, Marden, Tonbridge), Facebook page ((1) Facebook), Weekly Village Round Up e-mails (contact [email protected] to sign up), printed Newsletter (distributed in Spring, Summer and Autumn) and notice boards, as appropriate. Unfortunately, the latest newsletter is currently being distributed at the moment and went to press before this latest information became available.
In the meantime, the parish council cannot take a stance on the proposal at this stage because this could prevent us responding formally if a planning application is eventually submitted. We appreciate that this may be frustrating, but it will preserve our ability to act in the best interests of the community when the time is right.
MARDEN PARISH COUNCIL
Upcoming Parish Council Meetings and Events to April 2026:
Please check websites/noticeboards to confirm times/locations.
Full Council Meetings: 10th March / 7th April: Full Council Minutes & Agendas - Marden Parish Council - Marden Parish Council, Marden, Tonbridge
Planning Committee Meeting: 17th February / 3rd & 17th March / 7th & 21st April: Planning Committee Minutes & Agendas - Marden Parish Council - Marden Parish Council, Marden, Tonbridge
Amenities Committee Meeting: 24th February / 24th March / 27th April: Amenities Committee Minutes & Agendas - Marden Parish Council - Marden Parish Council, Marden, Tonbridge
Finance Committee Meeting: TBC
Welcome Pack
The Marden Welcome Pack has been updated with parish information, Parish Council contacts, village organisations and groups and other useful contacts - please view this at Village Welcome Pack - Marden Parish Council - Marden Parish Council, Marden, Tonbridge
Please let any new residents know where to find this or hard copies can be made available from the Parish Office.
All village groups can be found here but if we are missing yours please let Ali ([email protected] / 01622 832305) know and we will happily add you to the list.
LOCAL COUNCIL AWARD SCHEME - QUALITY GOLD STATUS
Marden Parish Council is pleased to announce its success in its application to achieve Quality Gold Status in the Local Council Award Scheme managed by National Association of Local Councils (NALC).
See the following link for more details.