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In the Spring of 2002 we carried out a major consultation exercise
on a document called 'mapping out the future'. This set out options
for policy and sought people's views about future priorities for
development, the environment and transport in Kent and Medway. The
two month consultation period resulted in almost 7,300 individual
comments from more than 1,000 people and organisations.
- The need for a better relationship between:
- the pace of housing development and the provision of essential
facilities such as schools;
- housing and job growth. Kent and Medway's economic performance
continues to fall short of that of other parts of the South East;
- providing sufficient housing but also ensuring that the new
homes provided reflect the nature of housing need.
- The impact of out-of-town shopping developments on town centres
- Loss of countryside to make way for homes and roads
- The need for more environmentally-friendly alternatives to car
transport
- The need to respond to change in the rural economy
All the responses were carefully considered and helped to shape
the Deposit Structure Plan.
Yes - the draft Plan responds to a number of issues raised during
earlier consultation. These include:
- Strong policies on the identification and delivery of community
facilities and services needed to support development.
- Strong policies on the design and quality of development and
conservation of the distinctive character of Kent's towns and
villages.
- Retention of the A227(A25) Borough Green and Platt Bypass as
a major transport scheme - an option to delete this scheme generated
substantial comment in favour of its retention.
- Strong emphasis on satisfactory resolution of the infrastructure
needs associated with major growth at Ashford and in Thames Gateway.
- Retention, in part, of options for strategic scale development
on the East Bank of the Medway (within Tonbridge and Malling).
- Revision of proposals for the distribution of housing provision
to reflect more fully the opportunities for using previously developed
('brownfield' land).
Consultation in 2002 presented a range of options for the scale
and pattern of new housing provision in Kent and Medway. A major
concern was how Kent would respond to the Government's house-building
programme.
The Structure Plan has to reflect the Government's national and
regional policy, and in Kent's case this means providing for the
large amount of new housing outlined in regional planning guidance.
While accepting this responsibility, Kent and Medway councils are
determined that new housing should be accompanied by the necessary
improvements in roads, other infrastructure and community facilities.
Necessary development must be a positive force for change making
the best use of land whilst reflecting a high quality of design
and sensitivity to community needs. The draft Structure Plan contains
policies to ensure that these aims are pursued.
At the end of the consultation period, Kent and Medway Councils
will consider all the comments received and decide whether or not
any changes to the plan should be proposed. An Examination in Public
(EIP), which is similar to a public inquiry, will be held in 2004
before an independently appointed panel.
The EIP will examine key issues raised during the consultation
and may recommend that the Councils change some of the policies.
There will then be an opportunity to comment upon any modifications
that the Councils propose to make to the plan before it is finally
adopted. This is expected to be in late 2004/early 2005.
The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 makes changes to the
planning system including the eventual abolition of Structure Plans.
The transitional arrangements set out in the Act confirm the position
for Structure Plans: Any Structure Plan that has reached the deposit
stage by April 2004 should be progressed through the formal plan
preparation stages, and once adopted will form part of the Development
Plan until at least 2007. The Kent & Medway Structure Plan had
reached deposit stage before April 2004 and will be ‘saved’
for a period of at least three years once adopted.
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