Agenda item

This report updates Members on progress towards the adoption of the Chatham World Heritage Planning Policy Document, and the reasons for its creation.

Discussion:

The Committee received a detailed report setting out progress towards the adoption of the Chatham World Heritage Planning Policy Document.

It was explained that the Chatham World Heritage Planning Policy Document had been prepared to have the status of, and the same planning weight as, a Supplementary Planning Document. The document had been drafted with significant stakeholder involvement and had been the subject of public consultation in accordance with the Medway Statement of Community Involvement and conformed to the National Planning Policy Framework and Development Plan for Medway.

It was confirmed that the Planning Policy Document would be considered for adoption by Cabinet on 14 January 2014 and Council on 20 February 2014.

It was explained that the Chatham World Heritage Planning Policy Document had three parts. The first provided an outline of existing planning policy guidance, drawing together the various existing policy documents relating to the site.  It included reference to key management plans for significant components of the site, and contained detailed advice about how individual heritage assets or groups thereof would be managed.

The second part described how some of the site’s principal heritage assets (known as attributes) were represented in key views and how these could be managed to ensure that the uniqueness of Chatham Dockyard is protected and enhanced.

Finally, part three of the document set out the methodology, in line with national guidance, that would be used to assess future development and regeneration proposals in the context of Chatham’s world class heritage and its bid for World Heritage Site Status.

The full draft document was appended to the report.

The consultation draft had been produced by Medway Council’s Planning Policy and Design Team, with input from Chatham World Heritage, Development Management, and the members of the Chatham World Heritage Steering Group. This has included two half-day workshop sessions, and considerable additional support from English Heritage, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and the Homes and Communities Agency. It was therefore considered to be a comprehensive draft, with sustainability at its core.

Members referred to a recent politics show broadcast on television and expressed concern that in this programme the issue of World Heritage sites and its affect on planning had been ridiculed.  In response, the Assistant Director Housing and Regeneration advised the Committee that the broadcast had been a 13 minute slot on BBC South East and that the vast majority of speakers had been supportive of World heritage sites. He confirmed that both the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Development and Economic Growth and a representative of the Chatham Historic Dockyard had been interviewed. However it was unfortunate that the only section of the broadcast shown on the news was a short section that had been critical of the proposals. Officers were currently taking media advice on a formal response.

A member referred to the site buffer zone and expressed the view that he would not wish this to hinder future employment opportunities at the Medway City Estate. In response the Chatham World Heritage Manager confirmed that the Chatham World Heritage Development Steering Group had a protocol of commenting on planning applications and she confirmed that World Heritage Status must work for Medway and not limit activities on the Medway City Estate.

A member referring to ‘Victoria Tower’ advised that locally this was known as ‘Melville Court Tower’ and it was suggested that it may be appropriate to change the report to reflect this.

Decision:

The forthcoming adoption of the Chatham World Heritage Planning Policy Document be supported.