16.07.2024
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As part of our ongoing monitoring, DHA Planning carefully monitor plan making developments in the South East. We have watched with particular interest in the immediate fortnight since the general election and after the initial announcements of the new Government. It is safe to say that in Kent there has been mixed reaction to the announcements.
Medway Council has proceeded with its Regulation 18 Local Plan consultation, which runs between 15th July and 8th September. The consultation document focusses on three spatial options; an urban focus; dispersed growth; or a blended strategy looking at urban regeneration, brownfield and greenfield sites. All options are to be viewed in the context of the Council’s challenging 1,658 new homes a year target.
Elsewhere, other authorities are taking a more cautious approach. On 15th July Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council issued a statement advising that it will await further details of potential planning reforms before proceeding to the next stage of developing its Local Plan. Leader of the Council, Matt Boughton, said:
“The government has very clearly indicated its intention to make a raft of significant changes to planning across the country.
“As this will involve new national rules that all councils will be expected to follow, it seems inevitable that there will be a significant impact across a range of policy areas which could meaningfully alter the requirements for developing Local Plans.
“Given we are in the process of developing our own Local Plan for Tonbridge and Malling, we need to know more about what the government is proposing before moving forward to the next stage.
“While this is not ideal, it will be better to have certainty so we can move forward with a robust plan which both complies with national policy and delivers for the people of our borough.”
Similarly, Sevenoaks District Council has chosen to revise its Local Development Scheme (LDS). The existing LDS (July 2022) suggested that Regulation 19 consultation would takes place in Spring 2024 and submission of the Local Plan for examination in Summer 2024. The timetable has subsequently been revised as follows:
Finally, Folkestone and Hythe District Council has recently announced an intention to launch a new ‘call for sites’ expected in late Summer.
We continue to monitor these and wider plans in further detail. However, if you have any specific questions or require assistance with a plan making project, please do not hesitate to contact DHA's Dave Bedford, Matt Porter or Greg Filmer.
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