Counter UrbanisationPRAAG, ADAM AND HARRISON

What is counter-urbanisation?

Movement of urban dwellers and services to rural-urban fringe or rural areas- differs from suburbanisation due to clear break from urban area.

Counter urbanisation

CITIES

SUBURBAN

VILLAGES

Key facts about Headcorn The population of Headcorn is 3,300 The parish is located on the flood plan on the river Beult This is to the South East of Maidstone Headcorn is a thriving community with an attractive high street,

a £1.4 million village hall and many public amenities like pubs.

Headcorn is a Suburbanised village

Original village core

Old housing areas

Ribbon development housing

Infilling on green spacing for housing estatesIndividual property renovations

The causes of counter-urbanisation in Headcorn

There is a variety of businesses including many shops that offer an array of services

Many clubs and societies operate in the village hall There is a popular farmers market

A farmers market is one where farmers and growers sell their products to consumers directly

There is a local primary school and good links into Maidstone There are also strong transport links into London and Ashford Int’l It is a traditional, attractive village with ‘Kentish charm’.

Farmers market

Strong links to Maidstone and Ashford International

Kentish charm

Headcorn Primary school

£1.4 million renovation

The effects of counter urbanisation in Headcorn

More upmarket retailers and servicers moved into the High Street It adopted the suburbanised village layout and development process House prices have trebled in the last 10 years (£114,000 in 2000 to

£400,000 in 2011) Rail services have increased There is an influx of wealthy, middle class families One section of community is ageing with an outmigration of young,

working ages 25% of the community commutes to London Growing disparity in wealth Pressure on new housing developments

“Headcorn matters”: Key points Too many houses were proposed, the village wants fewer than

250 Sites too big and unsustainable, village wants individual

developments to be no more than 30 houses Don’t want predetermined sites, village wants to determine

where development goes via Neighbourhood Plan Wrong infrastructure priorities, sewage and parking are more

important than signage and station upgrades Maidstone borough council needs to work with local communities

particularly in rural areas, to understand priorities Also, the MBC evidence is poor and needs improving (particularly

on the number of houses needed)

Headcorn’s Neighbourhood plan

Headcorn created a 100 page document setting out the details for proposed policies in Headcorn.

This was put in place to shape the future of Headcorn Parish from now until 2031.

Summary of Headcorn’s neighbourhood plan

They want to maintain a sense of being a country village, with a strong local community

Support a vibrant local economy, based around the high street, leisure tourism

Ensure that there is a robust framework governing development in the countryside around Headcorn that will support both local needs and the benefits villagers receive from being surrounded by a beautiful countryside

Ensure development in the Parish is managed in a way that is well designed; promotes small scale development; is sustainable; is capable of meeting the needs of local residents in different age groups and family units; and is keeping with the village setting.

Headcorn’s vision

“Our vision is for Headcorn to continue to thrive as a friendly, rural village community with a strong local economy…”

Any questions?