Agenda item

Planning Policy Update

Minutes:

Background:

 

This report provided details of an update on the preparation of the new Medway Local Plan, including an update to the programme set out in the Local Development Scheme, and publication of evidence base documents.

 

The report also sought authority to publish the annual Medway Authority Monitoring Report, which provided an assessment of development trends and wider social, economic and environmental indicators, together with progress on the preparation of the new Local Plan.

 

In addition, the report also identified opportunities to streamline some processes relating to Neighbourhood Planning, through extending the officer scheme of delegation.

 

Appendices 1-9 to the report were set out in Supplementary Agenda No.1. A Diversity Impact Assessment was included at Appendix 9 to the report.

 

The following site maps, which formed part of Appendix 7 (Medway Strategic Land Assessment, December 2019) to the report, were tabled at the meeting:

 

·         A plan combining the information included in the site maps as set out in pages 509 and 512-525 of Supplementary Agenda No.1 entitled Medway Strategic Land Availability Assessment (SLAA), 2019: Development pipeline sites (residential and commercial land, with planning consent/under construction) in blue outline and residential sites meeting SLAA criteria (Suitable, Available and Achievable) in red outline.

 

·         A plan combining the information included in the site maps as set out in pages 512-525 of Supplementary Agenda No.1 entitled Medway Strategic Land Availability Assessment (SLAA), 2019: Included employment sites (including new SLAA sites and reassessed existing employment sites).

 

Decision number:

Decision:

152/2019

The Cabinet approved the Medway Local Development Scheme, December 2019, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report, as an updated programme for the preparation of the Medway Local Plan, to take effect from 31 December 2019.

153/2019

The Cabinet approved the 2019 Authority Monitoring Report, as detailed in paragraph 4.1 of the report, for publication.

154/2019

The Cabinet approved the Town Centre Masterplans for Chatham, Strood and Gillingham as set out at Appendix 4, Appendix 5 and Appendix 6 to the report respectively as part of the evidence base for the Medway Local Plan.

155/2019

The Cabinet approved the Medway Strategic Land Availability Assessment, 2019 as set out at Appendix 7 to the report and the Medway Playing Pitch Study as set out at Appendix 8 to the report as part of the evidence base for the Medway Local Plan.

156/2019

The Leader agreed to amend the Employee Scheme of Delegation to provide for a delegation to the Director Regeneration, Culture, Environment and Transformation and Deputy Chief Executive to deal with any future applications for designations of neighbourhood planning areas and forums, as set out in paragraph 4.9 of the report.

 

Reasons:

 

Approval of the Medway Local Development Scheme, 2019, will provide clarity on an updated programme for the preparation of the Medway Local Plan.

 

To comply with the duty to compile and publish a planning monitoring report.

 

To provide for an up to date and robust evidence base for the Medway Local Plan.

 

To provide for efficient decision making on the designation of Neighbourhood Areas and Neighbourhood Forums.

 

Supporting documents: