Maidstone — Affordable Housing Policy
Parabilis policy summary and published source references. Consult the linked council documents for the authoritative policy and its qualifications.
Council
Maidstone Borough Council
County
Kent
Local Plan
Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review 2021–2038
Affordable housing policy
LPRSP10(B) — Affordable Housing (garden settlements Heathlands and Lidsing also have their own 40% targets)
Zone A
Greenfield in mid and high value zones; brownfield in high value zone
Zone A rate
40%
Zone B
Brownfield in mid value zone
Zone B rate
No % set — expected to deliver an element of on-site AH; proportionate off-site contribution if shown unviable
Zone C
Low value zone (town centre and some of the inner urban area)
Zone C rate
No % set — expected to deliver an element of on-site AH; proportionate off-site contribution if shown unviable
Last checked
Oct 2026
Policy wording (adopted)
ADOPTED — Maidstone Borough Local Plan Review 2021–2038 (adopted 20 March 2024), Policy LPRSP10(B), pp.142–144 POLICY LPRSP10(B) – AFFORDABLE HOUSING 1. On major housing development sites or mixed-use development sites where 10 or more dwellings will be provided, or the site has an area of 0.5 hectares or more, the council will require the delivery of affordable housing. 2. The target rates for affordable housing provision within the following geographical areas, as defined on the Policies Map, are: a. Greenfield development in mid and high value zones at 40%; b. Brownfield development in high value zone at 40%; c. Development in the low value zone and brownfield development in the mid value zone will be expected to deliver an element of on site affordable housing. If it can be demonstrated through an open book financial appraisal this is not viable, based on the construction costs based on delivering high quality design and public realm, then the developer shall make a proportionate off-site contribution to the delivery of affordable housing. Evidence of engagement with affordable housing funders and providers, including the council and Homes England as appropriate, should be submitted with the financial appraisal. 3. Affordable housing provision should be appropriately integrated within the site. In exceptional circumstances, and where proven to be necessary, off-site provision will be sought in the following order of preference: a. An identified off-site scheme; b. The purchase of dwellings off-site; or c. A financial contribution towards off-site affordable housing. 4. The indicative targets for tenure are: a. 75% Social and affordable rented; b. 25% intermediate or affordable home ownership. 5. Where 25% of First Homes will not be adequate to meet the minimum 10% Affordable Home Ownership target set by the NPPF, then any shortfall can be met through the provision of First Homes or an alternative Affordable Home Ownership product. 6. Developers are required to enter into negotiations with the council’s Housing Department, in consultation with registered providers, at the earliest stage of the application process to determine an appropriate tenure split, taking account of the evidence available at that time. a. The council will seek provision of 20% affordable housing for schemes that provide for Use Class C3 retirement housing on greenfield mid to high value zones and brownfield sites in high value zones. C2 Use Class will not be expected to deliver affordable housing; b. The council has set a zero affordable housing rate for fully serviced residential care homes and nursing homes; c. Where it can be demonstrated that the affordable housing targets cannot be achieved due to economic viability, the tenure and mix of affordable housing should be examined prior to any variation in the proportion of affordable housing. 7. The adopted Affordable and Local Needs Housing Supplementary Planning Document contains further detail on how the policy will be implemented.
Building Safety Levy
35.15
Building Safety Levy (brownfield)
17.58
Note
The council's affordable housing guidance (2020) predates the current plan (2024), so parts may be out of date.
Affordable housing
40%
Affordable housing (detail)
Higher-value and greenfield sites; no fixed % elsewhere
CIL (residential, per m²)
£112–£119/m² (2025 rates)
Plan period
2021–2038
Adopted
20 Mar 2024
CIL rates by zone
Latest published rates (2025; no 2026 rates published): outside the Urban Boundary £119.47/m²; within the Urban Boundary £112.23/m²; Site H1(11) Springfield, Royal Engineers Road £92.92/m². All other CIL-liable floorspace £0. Retirement and extra care housing £54.31/m². Adopted base rates (2017 charging schedule, in effect from 1 Oct 2018): £99 / £93 / £77/m²; retirement and extra care £45/m².
Exceptions and reduced rates
Brownfield sites in the mid value zone, and all sites in the low value zone: no fixed percentage; some on-site affordable housing is expected, or a proportionate off-site contribution based on open-book viability.
Rented share
75%
Home ownership share
25%
How tenure is set
An indicative split in the adopted local plan.
Threshold
Major sites: 10 or more homes, or 0.5 ha or more.
CIL relief for affordable housing
Social housing that meets the conditions in the CIL regulations (regulation 49) can get mandatory relief, and so can First Homes (regulation 49(7B)). Relief is not automatic: it must be claimed and approved before development starts. Since 30 September 2025 the council also offers discretionary relief for discount market sale homes sold at no more than 80% of market value.
Plan status
Local plan adopted 20 Mar 2024, covering 2021–2038. Work on a new local plan is at an early stage; no draft plan has been published yet. Position as at 19 October 2026.
CIL (short)
£112–£119/m² (2025 rates)
Emerging plan stage
Early stage
Housing Delivery Test 2025
93%
Delivery test consequence
Action plan required – delivery was below 95% of the homes required over three years.
Five-year housing land supply
3.6 years at 1 Apr 2026 (council's stated position)
Policy can change. Check the adopted documents and seek professional advice before relying on this summary.