County planners sharpen focus on infrastructure

A county council is ramping up its efforts to deal with the infrastructure needed to cope with increasing demands on housing and a possible overspill from London.

Kent County Council is sharpening its focus on shaping housing and economic growth, according to its head of strategic planning and policy, Ann Carruthers.

She told Planning: “We are really having to increase emphasis on looking at the infrastructure needed to deliver growth in the county.

“The growth forecast in local plans is prompting us to look holistically at areas such as highways, schools, adult social services, utilities and health infrastructure.”

The council is looking to recruit a principal or senior planning policy officer to focus on these infrastructure needs, she said.

Carruthers added: “The role will involve helping to build up a county-wide picture of growth and infrastructure needs. 

“It will include examining the potential implications across Kent of the London Plan and the impact of a possible overspill from London.”

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