25.09.2024
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DHA Planning's Chris Hawkins and Cameron Chapman provide an update on the progress of Swale Borough Council's emerging Local Plan following delays in the original consultation process.
At DHA Planning we routinely monitor the progress of the Local Plan-making process for local authorities, and this article provides an update on Swale Borough Council's emerging Local Plan after the Council recently updated their Local Development Scheme (LDS).
Swale Borough Council's Local Plan
Swale's current Local Plan was previously adopted on 26th July 2017, setting out the vision and overall strategy for the Swale area and how it will be achieved for the period from 2014 until 2031. The Council are now currently in the process of consulting on their Local Plan Review, which will set out the planning framework for the borough for the period to 2038, and will cover issues such as housing provision, the economy, retail and town centres, infrastructure provision and the environment.
Local Plan Review Timetable
At a meeting of the Council on 24th July 2024, Members agreed the Local Development Scheme 2024, which sets out that a draft Plan Regulation 18 consultation would be carried out in the fourth quarter of this year, with a Regulation 19 consultation in the first Quarter of 2025 and submission of the Local Plan for the end of the second quarter in 2025. This has, however, recently been proposed to be revised. The Swale Planning and Transportation Policy Working Group held a meeting on 17th September 2024, recommending to the Policy and Resources Committee that the revised Local Plan timetable, which sees a 6-month delay to allow for further background work to be undertaken, be agreed.
The latest timetable for the Local Plan 2040 is now as follows:
Despite delays in the consultation process of the Local Plan Review, it is promising to see that significant progress on the new Local Plan is being made a priority for the Authority. In the latest update, Members' recommendations included an amendment to include the preparation of the design code and landscape survey alongside work to the Local Plan.
Next Stage
The next key stage for the progression of the Local Plan Review will be a further Call for Sites. This consultation is expected in the 6 months prior to Regulation 18, and is likely to place emphasis on:
Development Opportunities
Officers have made it apparent that the current concern is more towards Swale’s lack of a 5-Year Housing Land Supply, which is currently 4.1 years. This does provide for opportunities to bring development forward in advance of the Local Plan, in sustainable locations. We would therefore welcome the opportunity to consider any suitable landholdings for shorter term aspirations. For those interested in promoting strategic land in the coming months, now would also represent an ideal opportunity to put forward sites as part of the upcoming call for sites.
For further information on the plan-making process in Swale or to consider development opportunities in the area, please contact Chris Hawkins or Cameron Chapman.
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