Issue - meetings

Background:

This report outlined the proposed consultation on the emerging Local Plan. The consultation would focus on the vision and strategic objectives for Medway’s growth up to 2040, and provided options for how and where development should be planned to provide for Medway’s growing and changing communities.

It was proposed that the consultation would run between 18 September and 31 October 2023 and the Planning Service had been working closely with the corporate Communications Team in drafting an engagement and publicity programme. During discussion, every stakeholder was encouraged to engage in the process and it was suggested that the Portfolio Holder for Education work with schools to help raise awareness amongst young people and support them with engagement in the consultation.

An error had been spotted in Appendix 1 in relation to the green belt boundary at Map 4, and therefore Cabinet was also asked to delegate authority to enable this to be corrected along with any other minor amendments and clarifications required, ahead of publication.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken, details of which were set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

Reasons:

To provide for community and stakeholder input to the preparation of the new Medway Local Plan.