07.09.2026
Following the Government's announcement in July that Kent and Medway would move to four new unitary authorities from April 2028, a further update has now introduced additional uncertainty into the reorganisation process. DHA Planning considers what the latest developments may mean for planning and development across Kent and Medway.
Thank you for getting in touch. We will be in contact shortly.
In July 2026, we reported on the Government's decision to pursue its preferred model for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Kent and Medway, replacing the existing county, district and borough councils with four new unitary authorities from April 2028.
However, a new Government announcement has now placed the wider reorganisation programme under review, creating fresh uncertainty over both the timetable and the future direction of these proposed changes.
The Government has announced that proposals for local government reorganisation across a number of areas in England are being reviewed following legal advice. As part of this review, plans affecting a further 14 areas, including Kent and Medway, have been paused whilst Ministers reconsider aspects of the programme.
The review is expected to examine whether the process followed to date remains legally robust and whether the proposed reforms continue to align with the priorities of the current Government.
The Government has also confirmed that local elections due to take place in May 2027 will proceed on existing council boundaries rather than under any new organisational structure.
At present, there is no indication that local government reorganisation has been cancelled. Rather, the programme is being paused whilst the review is undertaken.
This means that the Government's July decision to pursue a four-unitary model for Kent and Medway is now subject to further consideration. The extent to which the review may affect the final structure, implementation timetable or transition arrangements remains unclear.
For applicants, landowners and developers, the immediate position remains unchanged. Existing councils continue to exercise all planning functions and remain the decision-makers for planning applications, appeals, enforcement matters and Local Plan preparation.
Whilst no immediate operational changes are expected, the review introduces a further layer of uncertainty for authorities already beginning to consider future governance arrangements.
In practical terms, we consider that several potential implications may emerge:
With reorganisation now paused, local planning authorities will continue to operate within their current structures for the foreseeable future. Development proposals should therefore continue to be advanced through the existing planning framework.
One of the opportunities identified in DHA Planning's earlier briefing was the prospect of new strategic Local Plans being prepared by larger unitary authorities. The review could delay any transition towards new plan-making arrangements and may prolong reliance on existing local plans and evidence bases.
The latest announcement means there is less clarity regarding future decision-making structures across Kent and Medway. Questions surrounding strategic infrastructure planning, housing delivery and cross-boundary growth planning may remain unresolved until the review concludes.
For developers and landowners, the latest developments reinforce the importance of progressing projects based on the current planning system rather than awaiting future governance changes that may yet evolve.
Given the uncertainty created by the review, we recommend that applicants and landowners:
The Government's decision to review and pause elements of the Local Government Reorganisation programme represents a significant development in what is already one of the most substantial changes to local government in recent decades.
Whilst the long-term ambition to reform council structures may remain, the latest announcement creates uncertainty around the timing and implementation of changes previously expected to take effect from April 2028.
DHA Planning will continue to monitor developments closely and provide further updates as the position becomes clearer. In the meantime, planning decisions across Kent and Medway remain firmly within the control of the existing local authorities, and developers should continue to engage proactively with the current planning system.
Thank you for getting in touch. We will be in contact shortly.
