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 was 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 was funded by small grants from Colyer Fergusson, Kent County Council (member’s grant), the Parish Council and other bodies.

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 also consulted with interested bodies and institutions, and commercial organisations. Feedback from these events contributed to the design of the questionnaire which was circulated to every household in the parish in October 2009.

The Parish Plan was launched in November 2010 and formally accepted by the Parish Council who have overall responsibility for the implementation of the recommendations. Copies of the Parish Plan are available for new residents in Petham. email: pethamplan@hotmail.com The Parish Pllan Committee will continue as the interface between the Parish Council and informal volunteer groups of residents with an interest in the four major areas of concern and interest identified in the Plan:
• Traffic, transport and highways
• Good Neighbour scheme
• Energy, the environment and conservation
• Footpaths