Medway Local Plan (Regulation 19, 2025)

Regulation 19 Consultation

Local plans set out a long-term vision and strategy for how an area will evolve and grow in the future, with policies that will shape development. The preparation of the new Medway Local Plan has now reached a key stage, known as 'Regulation 19', in setting out a framework and policies for managing development in Medway up to 2041.

Medway Council is publishing a Pre-Submission draft Local Plan at 'Regulation 19' for comments (representations) prior to submitting the plan and supporting information to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination.

This is an important stage in plan-making and builds on the work carried out in Regulation 18 consultations in 2023 and 2024, and in assembling a wide-ranging evidence base, including site assessments and sustainability appraisal and strategic working on cross border matters.

This version of the Plan represents the Council's proposals for development allocations and policies. The content of the proposed Plan will be assessed by an independent Planning Inspector through a formal examination process. You have the opportunity to make written comments on this Draft Plan, which will be sent to the Planning Inspector to consider in the examination.

This document sets out the proposed Medway Local Plan, with a vision and strategic objectives for Medway in 2041. It is structured into chapters that set out the direction of the new plan, including a proposed growth strategy and sites for development allocations, and the policy areas to manage development in line with the plan's objectives for sustainable growth. The plan's spatial development strategy shows how Medway can grow to provide for our communities' needs for homes, jobs and services, and conserve the environment and heritage. This is illustrated in a key diagram, and detailed in policies maps, and policies.

The proposed policies are categorised as strategic (S), thematic (T) or development management (DM). They are set out in broad chapters by theme.

Chapter 4 – Natural Environment – provides an overview of the plan in mitigating and adapting to climate change, and policies to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscape, natural resources and strengthening green infrastructure.

Chapter 5 – Built Environment – outlines policies to conserve and enhance the historic environment and securing quality and sustainable design in new development.

Chapter 6 – Housing – sets out policies for providing for a range of homes, including affordable housing and specialist accommodation for different groups of residents, such as Gypsy and Travellers and students.

Chapter 7 – Economic Development – outlines the approach to manage land for employment uses to meet the needs of businesses over the plan period, including specific sectors, such as tourism.

Chapter 8 – Retail and Town Centres – provides policies to strengthen existing town and village centres as a focus for communities and businesses, and support a vibrant retail and commercial leisure offer across Medway.

Chapter 9 – Transport – outlines our vision and policies for sustainable transport as an intrinsic component of the spatial strategy.

Chapter 10 – Health, Communities and Infrastructure – outlines our policies to support healthier communities, and providing for services as part of sustainable development.

Chapter 11 – Minerals Supply – policies outline how the Council as a minerals planning authority supports the sufficient supply of minerals to support the economy, with regard to the natural environment.

Chapter 12 – Waste Management – policies outline how the Council as a waste planning authority provides for the sustainable management of waste.

Chapter 13 – Energy – policies support our transition to net zero carbon by 2050.

Chapter 14 – Site Allocations – strategic policies for residential led and employment development allocations.

The Council has used many reports and wider documents in preparing the Local Plan. These include work on housing, employment and retail needs, transport, infrastructure and viability. The reports are published as evidence for the Local Plan and available to view on our website.

Making comments on the Regulation 19 Pre-Submission Draft Local Plan

The Council is consulting on this document and supporting materials from 30 June to 11 August 2025. The purpose of the Regulation 19 consultation is to inform the independent examination of the Local Plan. The examination of the Plan considers if it is legally compliant, sound, and complies with the Duty to Cooperate on cross border strategic matters. Representations to the Regulation 19 Plan must be made under these three aspects, and follow a prescribed format for the Planning Inspectorate.

Following the close of the Regulation 19 public consultation period, all written responses (representations) will be recorded, and reviewed. The Draft Local Plan and the representations will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for examination by an Inspector to be appointed by the Secretary of State. The main issues arising from the consultation will be summarised for the Local Plan Inspector. This will help the Local Plan Inspector to plan for the examination and to identify a series of questions that they would like the Council to respond to.

All written comments will be recorded and published and considered in the next iteration of work on the plan. Further details, including guidance on making comments on the soundness and legal compliance of the plan, evidence base documents used in the preparation of the plan, and how to submit your comments, are available on our website at: medway.gov.uk/localplan.