Petham is a large rural parish with a relatively small population spread throughout several distinct settlements: the village centre, Stone Street, Garlinge Green and Swarling. The area comprises farmland and woodland, and some leisure facilities and industrial units.  The new village hall, opened in 2005, the primary school, recreation ground and the church are all in the centre of the village, where there are no other community facilities/services.

The Parish Plan was initiated by the Parish Council, but has been set up as a community organisation, chaired by a member of the community and with representatives of the wider community and the Parish Council.  It is funded by small grants from Colyer Fergusson, Kent County Council (member’s grant), the Parish Council and other bodies.

The Parish Plan will consider all the factors that have an impact on the quality of life for those that live within the parish. This can include social, transport, housing, village facilities, recreation and planning issues etc.  A consultation day, open to all members of the community, was held in February 2009 to get ideas from villagers of the issues important to them, and the Parish Plan Committee are also consulting with interested bodies and institutions, and commercial organisations. Feedback from these events have contributed to the design of the questionnaire which is being circulated to every household in the parish.

The Parish Plan will form the basis for initiatives within the parish which will be overseen in the first instance by the Parish Council, who will monitor progress.  Some initiatives will also be taken forward by other community organisations or through liaison with outside bodies with broad interests (for example environmental, transport, education, etc)