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Hope is renewed that a major jobs investment is coming to Maidstone

Developers have been given a second chance to bring the planned Kent Medical Campus to Maidstone.

The scheme on land adjacent to the KIMS private hospital near Junction 7 of the M20 was first given outline permission back in 2013.

So far, construction has begun on only one element of the work - a mental health care hospital run by Cygnet Health Care - and planning permission on the rest of the site was due to expire in April.

An aerial view of ongoing development at the Kent Medical Campus near Maidstone
An aerial view of ongoing development at the Kent Medical Campus near Maidstone

Last night, Maidstone’s planning committee passed a new outline application, differing only marginally from the original.

It is still the developer’s intention to deliver a specialist paediatrics unit, a specialist women’s health-care unit, a medical training centre, research and development labs, postgraduate training facilities and pathology labs.

The original idea to create a neurological rehabilitation village, where patients’ families might stay along with the patients, has been downgraded to more traditional hospital accommodation.

The new plan, which includes extensive areas of landscaping, as well as a nature reserve and ponds, now includes a mention of parkland rather than a commitment to maintain a wood.

An artist's impression of one of the buildings planned for the Kent Medical Campus
An artist's impression of one of the buildings planned for the Kent Medical Campus

Approval of the scheme was never really in doubt, as Maidstone council has allocated the area for just such as project in its new local plan, and indeed is relying heavily on the economic benefits the campus might bring.

However, several councillors were concerned that approval was being sought for certain use-types, which might not turn out to be medically related once detailed plans were submitted.

Cllr Tony Harwood (Lib Dem) said: "We need to be certain we are not giving up this landscape jewel in the crown for a development that isn't worth it."

He said councillors had been persuaded to grant permission for a hi-tech, high employment site before - at Eclipse Park - only to end up with a hotel, a supermarket and a shop.

The committee at work
The committee at work
Some of the audience in the Town Hall
Some of the audience in the Town Hall

The council is hoping for 48 new businesses creating 2,300 jobs to move into the medical campus by 2022, with 3,300 jobs created by 2027.

However, nothing is going to happen immediately.

Kent Medical Campus Ltd asked that this time the outline planning permission be granted for an extended period of 10 years, because the scheme was very complex to deliver.

In November 2015, the Government granted the land Enterprise Zone status, which gives the council the power to offer firms discounted business rates if they move onto the site.

Artists impressions of the planned Kent Medical Campus
Artists impressions of the planned Kent Medical Campus

Permission was granted by nine vote in favour to three against, with one abstention.

A number of conditions were attached requiring the developers to make contributions towards improving bus services, education, libraries, youth services and parking controls.

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