Issue - meetings

Background:

This report outlined details of the work undertaken to date to assemble the High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) Development Framework, attached at Appendix 1 to the report and sought approval for its public consultation, in coordination with the Star Hill to Sun Pier Conservation Area Appraisal.

The HSHAZ programme, funded by the Government, aimed to transform high streets into thriving town centres through the power of heritage, by delivering physical improvements and cultural activities to regenerate historic high streets and/or town centres. One of its workstreams was the creation of a significance led Development Framework for this Conservation Area (known locally as ‘Chatham Intra’ or ‘Old High Street Intra’) to guide future development in a way that would protect the character and significance of the Conservation Area, whilst enabling sensitive sustainable growth and regeneration.

This Development Framework was intended to be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), which would provide additional guidance to Local Plan policy and would be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

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

Reasons:

To allow for a public consultation on the draft Framework which will enable the adoption of a more robust document.

To meet the requirements of the Statement of Community Involvement.

To meet the agreed outputs of the High Street Heritage Action Zone Programme.