Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee

7 February 2017

Is the final decision on the recommendations in this report to be made at this meeting?

Yes

 

Response to Regulation 18 Consultation on Medway Council Local Plan

 

Final Decision-Maker

Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee

Lead Head of Service

Rob Jarman, Head of Planning and Development

Lead Officer and Report Author

Adam Reynolds, Planning Officer

Classification

Public

Wards affected

All

 

 

This report makes the following recommendations to this Committee:

1.   That the Committee agrees the formal response to Medway Council Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation

 

 

This report relates to the following corporate priorities:

·         Keeping Maidstone Borough an attractive place for all

·         Securing a successful economy for Maidstone Borough

 

This report has regard to strategic proposals by an adjoining authority that may

impact on infrastructure, residential amenity and employment in Maidstone

Borough

 

 

Timetable

Meeting

Date

Strategic Planning, Sustainability and

Transportation Committee

7 February 2017



Response to Regulation 18 Consultation on Medway Council Local Plan

 

 

1.        PURPOSE OF REPORT AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

1.1   This is an informative report designed to draw the Committee’s attention to the commencement of the Medway Council Local Plan Regulation 18 consultation document. An urgent update report and response will be provided to accompany this report and the Committee will be asked to consider the proposed response in order that it may be submitted by the deadline of 6th March 2017.

 

 

2.        INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

 

2.1     Medway Council is producing a new Local Plan, to replace its current saved Policies in the 2003 Local Plan and the Kent Waste and Minerals Local Plans. The new Local Plan will have a time horizon up to 2035. 

 

2.2     In January 2016 Medway Council published the first stage of its new Local Plan Regulation 18 Issues and Options for public consultation. This further Regulation 18 Development Options consultation responds to the information gathered during the 2016 consultation, and represents the next formal stage in the preparation of the Medway Local Plan.

 

 

 

3.        AVAILABLE OPTIONS

 

3.1     There are two options available to Members. Firstly, the Council could send a formal response to the consultation (with any amendments deemed necessary by this Committee).

 

3.2     Secondly, Members could choose not to make a formal response to the Council Local Plan Regulation 18 consultation.

 

3.3     Choosing to make a response will help ensure that Maidstone Borough Council’s comments and concerns are provided to Medway Council at an early stage in order that they may be considered as its Local Plan is produced. If no formal representation is made, this would result in a missed opportunity for the Council to set out its position and concerns in respect of this important stage of Local Plan production for a neighbouring local planning authority.

 

 

4.        PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

 

4.1     As set out above, the preferred option is for the Council to submit a formal response to Medway Council consultation (with any amendments deemed necessary by this Committee) as set out in paragraph 3.1 above. This will help ensure that Maidstone Borough Council’s comments and concerns are provided to Medway Council at an early stage in order that they may be considered as its draft Local Plan is prepared.

 

 

5.       NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION

 

 

6.       CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS

 

 

Issue

Implications

Sign-off

Impact on Corporate Priorities

 

[Head of Service or Manager]

Risk Management

 

[Head of Service or Manager]

Financial

 

[Section 151 Officer & Finance Team]

Staffing

 

[Head of Service]

Legal

 

[Legal Team]

Equality Impact Needs Assessment

 

[Policy & Information Manager]

Environmental/Sustainable Development

 

[Head of Service or Manager]

Community Safety

 

[Head of Service or Manager]

Human Rights Act

 

[Head of Service or Manager]

Procurement

 

[Head of Service & Section 151 Officer]

Asset Management

 

[Head of Service & Manager]

 

7.        REPORT APPENDICES

 

The following documents are to be published with this report and form part of the report:

·         Medway Council Local Plan (2012-2035) Development Options Regulation 18 consultation document

 

 

8.        BACKGROUND PAPERS

 

None