Scoping Consultation
The council are working to prepare a new local plan for the borough, known as the 'Ashford Local Plan 2043'. We are holding a scoping consultation from Wednesday 2 September until Wednesday 23 September 2026. This is the first chance to have your say as we start work on the new Local Plan. The consultation explains how we will prepare the plan and when the main stages are expected to happen. We want to hear your views on:
- The main issues facing the borough.
- What the Local Plan should include.
- How you would like the council to keep in touch and involve you.
What is a Local Plan?
A Local Plan helps decide where new homes, jobs, roads, schools, parks and other services may be needed in the borough in the future. It helps make sure growth is planned carefully and happens in the right places.
It looks at what Ashford may need over the coming years, including homes, jobs, community spaces, transport, open spaces, the environment and climate change. The aim is to plan for new development while protecting the things people value, such as the countryside, historic places, leisure facilities, wildlife and green spaces.
How do I submit my comments?
Comments can be submitted by filling in our online form.
Print versions of the comment forms are also available to download from this webpage.
If you have completed a print version of the comment form, please return via email to planning.policy@ashford.gov.uk with the subject heading ‘Ashford Local Plan 2043 Scoping Consultation’.
If you wish to return your physical feedback forms via post, please send to the Plan Making & Infrastructure Team, Spatial Planning, Ashford Borough Council, International House, Dover Place, Ashford, TN23 1HU.
When does the consultation close?
All comments must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 23 September 2026.
We will not be able to accept comments submitted after the close of the consultation.
Where can I view the documents?
A digital copy of the scoping document will be available to view via the right-hand side of this webpage under the ‘consultation document’ section.
Print copies of the scoping document are available to view at the following locations throughout the borough:
- Ashford Borough Council, International House, Dover Place, Ashford, THN23 1HU,
- Ashford Gateway, Church Road, Ashford, TN23 1AS
- Charing Library, Market Place, Charing, Ashford, TN27 0LR
- Tenterden Gateway, 2 Manor Row, Tenterden, TN30 6HP
- Tenterden Town Hall, 24 High Street, Tenterden, TN30 6AN
- Wye Library, 6 Upper Bridge Street, Wye, TN25 5AF
Call for Sites
The council will be reopening the Call for Sites.
If you have a site that you wish to submit for consideration through the Call for Sites process please visit https://haveyoursay.ashford.gov.uk/call-for-sites
Privacy Policy
Ashford Borough Council (ABC) is the data controller for the personal information you provide in this form. ABC’s Data Protection Officer can be contacted at FOI@ashford.gov.uk. Your information will be used to inform our Local Plan, consultations and processing is being conducted relying upon the public interest legal basis under the Town and Country Planning Act. Given the statutory status of the Local Plan, relevant regulations, and the public interest in making information on the Local Plan consultation available, it is appropriate for us to make a wide range of information and documents available on our website including consultation responses and the name and address of the individual and or company making those responses. Conversely, however, there is no wider duty or need to disclose information other than that which is statutory. Your telephone number and/or email address will not be published. Your information may be retained for the purpose of keeping you informed about the plan making process and will be deleted 6 years after the end of the relevant plan making cycle. Personal information including your name and contact details retained on our consultation database will be retained for the purpose of keeping you informed unless you opt out of this via your registration within the consultation database. For more information on your rights please see the council’s privacy statement at: https://www.ashford.gov.uk/.
