Local Plan (Regulation 18)

Introduction

1.1.1 The Council is preparing a new Local Plan to manage the area's growth up to 2041. The Local Plan will provide a framework for where and how new development can take place. The plan will help to deliver on the Council's ambitions for the local and global environment, supporting people and boosting jobs and investment. It is closely linked to our vision, ambitions and priorities.

1.1.2 Local people often made comments about the impact of development on infrastructure, such as health and transport, and the natural environment. Their views sought to limit development on greenfield sites, invest in infrastructure first and provide for a mix of housing that meet local needs, and respect the identity of the historic towns and villages that make up Medway.

1.1.3 Others, particularly developers and organisations, considered that there are opportunities to address needs and boost investment in services, jobs and homes, through new development. 

1.1.4 This further consultation provides people with the opportunity to comment on the details of the emerging Local Plan. We set out draft policies and identify potential sites and locations for where development could take place over the plan period to 2041.

1.1.5 The document is designed to reflect the scope of the new Local Plan. It sets out the proposed vision and strategic objectives for the plan, a range of policy areas, including the environment, economy, transport, housing, services and retail. It also sets out a proposed Policies Map that reflects the indicative preferred development strategy. We are consulting on options before we finalise the plan for publication in early 2025. This document contains details of proposed policies. We invite people to make comments on where different policy approaches or wording may be needed. We will take account of these comments in preparing the plan content.

Figure 1.1: Development Plan