Decision details

To seek approval to consult on the draft Core Strategy which forms part of the Local Development Framework, following consideration by the Regeneration, Community and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

Discussion:

The Local and Regional Planning Manager introduced the report advising the committee that an earlier version had been due for consideration in July 2010 but that this had coincided with the announcement of the abolition of the South East Plan. The draft core strategy had since been refined and references to the South East Plan removed. Members were notified that the draft strategy did not contain proposals for new development other than at Lodge Hill but did have a range of features, detailed in paragraph 4.5 of the report, planned to shape Medway over the next 15 years. 

Members raised the following questions and comments:

·        affordable housing – some Members commented that the levels remained too low;

Officers responded that the figures were based on a commissioned Strategic Housing Market Assessment and the recommendations reflected that study.

·        additional jobs target by 2028 (paragraph 3.9, page 99 of the agenda) how would the success of this be measured?

Officers agreed that a clear baseline should be included in the strategy.

·        new coal power station at Kingsnorth (paragraph 5.28, page 117 of the agenda) how robust was the strategy on waste heat?

Officers confirmed that they would consider whether the reference to the re-use of waste heat could be strengthened.

·        Canterbury Street, Gillingham as a secondary shopping centre.

Officers advised that the Local Plan proposals showed four local centres in Canterbury Street. It had all been assessed and it was proposed that one area, relatively distance from Gillingham town centre should be designated as a neighbourhood centre. This served a significant residential area.

·        Strood station nearer to some parts of Rochester? How will the council improve links from Strood across the river?

The importance of links across the river were recognised and would be taken into account when detailed proposals come forward.

·        Bryant Road – should this be designated as a neighbourhood centre given its proximity to the High Street, Strood?

Is doing well compared to other local centres but is close to the High Street. On balance, it is considered that it should be designated subject to views being received as part of the public consultation on the Core Strategy.

·        housing type and tenure – (paragraph 6.26, page 149 of the agenda) small amount of executive-style accommodation. Members considered that this required further detail, as it could be very important in the future. There was too little suitable housing for executives in Medway and by choosing to live in other areas, this also took away their money from being spent in Medway;

Officers replied that this could not be addressed through the draft core strategy but sites could be designated in the forthcoming Allocations and Development Management Policies development plan document.

·        development sites in River ward totalled 6,300 new units but what of the road infrastructure to cope with this large number of extra vehicle movements?

Officers responded that the figures did include the un-developed parts of St. Mary’s Island and Rochester Riverside which already had planning permission. Other sites in central Chatham were close to the retail area and rail station and could be expected to have lower than average car ownership rates.

Decision:

The committee endorsed the Local Development Framework: draft core strategy and recommended it to Cabinet for approval to go out for public consultation (as set out in paragraph 4.7 of the report), together with the committee’s comments set out above.