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A distinctive 'mosaic'
Community Strategies
Key Themes
Achieving Sustainable Development
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1.1 The role of the Structure Plan is to provide the strategic
planning framework which will guide decisions on development, transport
and environmental matters in Kent and Medway over the next 20 years.
This Plan covers the period 2001-2021. It will shape the scale,
location and form of private and public investment in Kent over
that period and in doing so must interpret national and regional
policies as they apply to Kent and Medway. These are currently aimed
at fostering sustainable communities, promoting an "urban renaissance"
by regenerating our towns and their centres and re-vitalising rural
communities. The Structure Plan's role in shaping development will
be particularly crucial since two of the Government's four growth
areas for the South East, identified in Sustainable Communities:
building for the future, -Thames
Gateway and Ashford - are within Kent and Medway.
1.2 The need to accommodate major new growth in Kent and Medway
of the highest quality and with all the requisite community services
for health, education, recreation, transport and other functions,
whilst protecting Kent's environment, represents the greatest challenge
to public services and government. Not only should the new communities
be well balanced in terms of development and services but the investment
they bring should help correct deficiencies of the past in existing
towns and villages.
1.3 Under the Local Government Act 2000, Kent County Council and
Medway Councils have the power to promote or improve the economic,
social or environmental well-being of their area. The Structure
Plan is an important tool in furthering these objectives and in
enabling the people of Kent and Medway to enjoy the healthy and
high quality lifestyle to which they are entitled. This means bringing
about healthier, safer, more prosperous communities with access
to excellent education, jobs, transport, housing, health, leisure
and cultural facilities. It also means ensuring that Kent's environment
is protected and enhanced for its own sake in the interests of this
and future generations.
1.4 Kent's distinctive character is one of the significant features
that this Structure Plan seeks to retain and strengthen. Its distinctiveness
is based on its size, peninsular position, heritage, and its long
history as a single administrative unit which dates back at least
to the Saxon Kingdom of Kent. Its long-standing role as a gateway
between the UK and the European mainland has also helped to shape
its character.
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ODPM: Sustainable
Communities: Building for the Future. February 2003
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A distinctive 'mosaic'
Community Strategies
Key Themes
Achieving Sustainable Development
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1.5 All places can of course claim to be unique but in the case
of Kent and Medway this uniqueness is based on its popular reputation
as "The Garden of England" - a character established through
a combination of climate, geology and agricultural expertise. The
coastal towns of East Kent, those along the Thames in North Kent,
the rural Weald and the county's many historic centres, all share
an important sense of 'Kentishness'. This Plan seeks to retain and
strengthen the unique character of Kent's countryside, biodiversity,
built environment and heritage both for their own sake and as a
driver for inward investment, tourism and community pride.
1.6 Kent has no single dominant urban area but consists of a number
of medium sized towns and smaller centres. Different communities
across Kent and Medway show significant differences in their prosperity
and in the quality of their built environment. There is a strong
inter-relationship between rural and urban areas. The future planning
strategy for the County needs to respond to these differing needs
and circumstances, protect the best of what there is and to revitalise
those communities and areas in greatest need.
1.7 Kent has an outstanding wealth of historic towns but the quality
of the built environment is variable. Many of the larger towns which
are home to 70% of Kent's population require environmental improvements
in inner residential areas and town centres. Many also need measures
to encourage better public transport and to provide better routes
for pedestrians. Some towns, especially in north and east Kent,
have untapped potential to offer better employment and housing opportunities
for the disadvantaged communities within them. There is a need to
improve the quality of building design and public space and to make
towns more attractive places in which to work and live.
1.8 Kent's countryside is one of the county's most important but
fragile assets. It helps make Kent special, it gives identity to
its settlements and it is an important part of its sense of place.
At the same time it is under intense pressure from changes in agricultural
practice and from built development. It must be nurtured for the
benefit of present and future generations and given strong protection.
Sensitive farm diversification, however will, be encouraged as a
way of managing the rural landscape and improving the vitality of
the rural economy.
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1.9 30% of people live in Kent's smaller market towns and rural
settlements or the wider countryside. The economic health and vitality
of some of these settlements needs to be improved to respond to
local needs. Some larger rural settlements provide local retail
and community facilities and employment and fulfil the role of rural
service centres. They justify greater recognition as focal points
for necessary development, including small-scale residential and
economic development and community facilities and services. Other
rural settlements of a similar scale lack many basic services and
this needs to be addressed. The emphasis for smaller villages and
hamlets will be on maintaining their character and protecting them
from inappropriate development.
1.10 The Kent economy has shown significant improvement over the
past decade, highlighted by a fall in unemployment and greater diversification
within the economy. However, there are still significant economic
problems and disparities which need to be tackled and some areas
still rely on poorly performing economic sectors. In terms of overall
economic performance, employment growth and representation of key
business sectors, the area does not compare well with the rest of
the South East. This gap needs to be narrowed.
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Settlement
Pattern
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1.11 As the principal gateway to the rest of Europe, Kent has significant
opportunities for economic development and tourism. This gateway
role does, however, result in a high volume of road and rail traffic
travelling through Kent to reach the ports and the Channel Tunnel.
This impacts on the local environment and on the transport network
that must also serve local needs. While Kent should play its full
part in ensuring economic prosperity for the nation and for the
South East region, local interests must also be addressed.
1.12 The tendency in recent decades to separate different land
uses has resulted in relatively low development densities in suburban
and commercial areas. This has led to longer journeys to work -
and thus more air pollution - and a less 'local' pattern of services.
The provision of community facilities and new job opportunities
has also frequently lagged behind the construction of new housing.
1.13 New development should provide for a better balance of homes,
jobs and services in places where they can be easily reached. It
should support the role of town and district centres as focal points
for local communities and make more effective use of urban land.
Concentrating development at the principal urban areas offers the
best chance of ensuring that homes, jobs and services are well related
to each other and served by a choice of transport facilities.
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1.14 Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) (2001) confirmed the Thames
Gateway (which includes most of North Kent) as a nationally and
regionally important area for economic regeneration and for redeveloping
previously used land. RPG also highlighted the growth potential
of Ashford which Kent's planning strategy has long identified as
a growth point for both housing and jobs. Its contribution will
increase over the lifetime of this Plan and beyond. The Government's
Sustainable Communities Plan will be an important factor in the
way Kent will evolve especially in the Thames Gateway and Ashford
growth areas.
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"In partnership with local authorities and other stakeholders,
to provide for major growth in the four growth areas identified
in regional planning guidance for London and the rest of the
South East in 2000 (RPG9):
- Thames Gateway
- Milton Keynes/South Midlands
- Ashford
- London- Stansted- Cambridge
"To bring together the best of design and planning
to ensure that the built environment in new and expanded communities
is of a high quality, and the surrounding countryside is protected
and enhanced".
"To address public services and infrastructure needs
to enable the new communities to function…".
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1.15 The existing commitment to regeneration and economic diversification
in the coastal towns of East Kent and the former East Kent coalfield
is maintained in this Structure Plan. These areas are identified
as a regionally significant Priority Area for Economic Regeneration
(PAER). This Plan has also taken account of emerging regional strategies
in relation to transport, tourism, energy and waste.
1.16 The way the population is changing, including an increase
in the number of smaller households and a more mobile labour force,
means that Kent will require significant new development to meet
the needs of existing residents and to ensure that Kent maintains
or improves its economic competitiveness.
1.17 Kent will be affected by climate change and the county will
need to consider the impact of this change when planning the location
of development, particularly in river corridors and coastal areas.
Kent must also play its part in using natural resources, such as
water, prudently and in promoting renewable energy and alternative
forms of transport.
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1.18 Both Kent and Medway Councils have worked closely with a
wide range of partners to produce Community Strategies under the
Local Government Act 2000. These set out shared objectives and priorities
for Kent and have informed the themes and core principles within
this Structure Plan. In turn the Structure Plan will be a key way
in which the community strategies are taken forward.
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The Kent Partnership's "Vision for Kent" strategy
(2002) endorsed a number of objectives for Kent. It set out
a vision of Kent as "A County..
- of strong cohesive communities, where local people, agencies
and groups work together in partnership and individuals
from all backgrounds can join in community life;
- displaying excellence in learning opportunities and in
skills development;
- which is a centre of excellence for high quality leisure
and tourism;
- where people enjoy healthy lives and have high standards
of health and social care;
- where people are helped to be more independent and become
less dependent;
- which is safe and where people live free from the fear
of crime;
- where business growth builds on existing strengths and
grasps the new opportunities arising from Kent's position
as the Gateway to Europe;
- where the countryside and coast, heritage and environment
are safeguarded and enhanced for everyone's enjoyment, now
and in the future;
- where the difficulties of traffic and transport are tackled
for the benefit of all.
Source: Vision for Kent
The vision for the Medway Community Strategy envisages Medway
as "a healthy, safe and exciting place with a good environment
and major cultural attractions. Medway's communities will
be recognised for their care, fairness and vibrancy, where
people work together to realise their needs and ambitions"
Source: More to Medway
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KEY THEME:
Nurturing Kent and Medway's Environment and Resources
- Protecting the countryside, minimising greenfield development
and making the most of opportunities for re-using previously developed
land, especially within existing towns and other substantial communities.
- Anticipating and reducing the impact of future climate change
including stronger protection and management of areas of potential
flood risk, reducing demand for energy and moving towards renewable
energy sources.
- Protecting and enhancing Kent's land, air and water environments.
- Ensuring that development does not create unacceptable levels
of pollution and that development that would be sensitive to pollution
is protected from it.
- Protecting high quality agricultural land.
- Conserving and enhancing Kent's natural habitats and biodiversity.
- Promoting sensitive and comprehensive approaches to the assessment
and protection of the countryside, that reflect its character
and biodiversity as well as its natural beauty.
- Conserving and enhancing Kent's historic environment.
- Using and managing water and other natural resources wisely,
including the safeguarding of viable mineral reserves from sterilisation.
- Reducing disposable waste to a minimum and disposing of it in
a way that achieves maximum benefits from recycling and reduces
harmful impacts on the environment.
- Taking care in the way the natural environment is used to provide
leisure, recreational, cultural and educational opportunities
for local communities.
KEY THEME:
Fostering Prosperity and Well Being
- Increasing economic opportunity and reducing economic disparities
within Kent, by working towards regeneration and improved economic
performance in North Kent, the coastal towns of East Kent and
the former East Kent coalfield.
- Pursuing targeted economic development, including support for
high value added activities and skills development, business clusters
and knowledge based industries to boost the competitiveness of
the Kent economy and existing businesses.
- Securing employment led growth and development, especially within
the areas in North and East Kent which require regeneration.
- Helping existing businesses to grow and provide new jobs.
- Providing for sustainable growth in the economically successful
parts of Kent, whilst addressing the pockets of deprivation which
occur within them.
- Sustaining and improving the economic health and vitality of
Kent's rural communities and helping the rural economy to diversify.
- Making the most of the role of Thames Gateway as a national
and regional priority for economic growth, regeneration and infrastructure
investment and recognising in this respect the pivotal role of
the main urban areas of North Kent and Medway.
- Promoting Ashford as a regional growth point whilst ensuring
that the economy of East Kent in particular also benefits.
- Promoting sustainable tourism which capitalises on Kent and
Medway's assets.
KEY THEME:
Securing Quality, Investment and Infrastructure for Regeneration
and Development
- Providing attractive new communities which are safe, secure
and convenient places for people in which to live and work and
which encourage a sense of place and local distinctiveness.
- Regenerating and revitalising Kent's principal urban areas,
through neighbourhood renewal, redevelopment and improving key
inner urban locations.
- Balancing the provision of homes, jobs, infrastructure and community
services and making sure they are provided at the right time.
Ensuring development brings with it improvements in services and
infrastructure.
- Promoting and investing in efficient transport that will serve
future needs, tackle congestion, avoid unacceptable damage to
the environment and make best use of the existing road and rail
infrastructure.
- Insisting on high quality design that uses land, water, energy
and other resources more efficiently and provides for changing
lifestyles and preferences.
- Maintaining the character and separation of settlements through
retention of the Green Belt and definition of strategic gaps.
KEY THEME:
Enhancing choice, opportunity and accessibility
- Ensuring that planning policies and practice in Kent and Medway
promote social independence and take into account the needs of
all sections of the community.
- Providing sufficient housing of a suitable range, quality and
diversity for the people of Kent and Medway.
- Concentrating development at the principal urban areas that
are the major focal points for jobs, public services and transport
facilities.
- Promoting more mixed use developments of the right pattern and
density that uses land efficiently, increases accessibility, reduces
the need to travel, particularly by car, and is planned to meet
social, cultural and economic needs.
- Ensuring that decisions on development and transport make it
easy for people to reach local services and jobs and provide a
choice of transport for people and goods.
- Ensuring that access to all buildings, transport and services
is improved for everyone while avoiding undue impact on buildings
of important heritage value.
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1.19 The Structure Plan's prime contribution to improving economic,
social and environmental well being will be through promoting a
more integrated, better-designed and more sustainable pattern and
form of development. Strategic Policy SP1 gives effect to this by
defining the key elements that the local authorities, other public
and private sector agencies, the development industry and others
will need to address. In carrying out their roles in development
control and development plan preparation and making decisions about
the future pattern of development the local authorities and other
regulatory agencies will need to assess proposals in the light of
the criteria in Policy SP1. The expectation is that developers,
landowners and other agencies in the private and public sectors
will work to pursue the objectives of this policy.
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Policy SP1:
The primary purpose of Kent's development and environmental strategy
will be to protect and enhance the environment and achieve a sustainable
pattern and form of development. This will be done principally by:
- Protecting the Kent countryside and its wildlife for future
generations;
- Reducing reliance on greenfield sites to accommodate all forms
of built development;
- Using and re-using land for development more efficiently;
- Protecting and enhancing features of importance in the natural
and built environment
- Reducing the need to travel, encouraging the availability of
a choice of transport, reducing growth in dependence on the road
network and fostering good accessibility to jobs and services
for all sections of the community;
- Encouraging high quality development and innovative design that
reflects Kent's identity and local distinctiveness and promoting
healthy, safe and secure living and working environments;
- Fostering balanced and timely provision of housing, employment,
infrastructure and community services to help maintain and develop
well functioning settlements;
- Responding to the implications of long term climate change by:
- advancing the conservation and prudent use of energy, water
and other natural resources;
- minimising pollution and assisting the control of greenhouse
gas emissions;
- safeguarding areas of potential flood risk from development
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