Medway Developer Contributions and Obligations Guide
19.1 Background
19.1.1 Developments generate the need to travel, and these movements often place additional demand on local and regional transport infrastructure. In accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), developments generating significant movements should be located where the need to travel will be minimised and the use of sustainable modes can be maximised, giving priority to pedestrian and cycle movements and creating safe and secure layouts that minimise conflicts between traffic and cyclists or pedestrians. Comment
19.1.2 National planning policy requires all developments that generate significant amounts of movement to provide a Travel Plan, with applications supported by a Transport Assessment or a Transport Statement. Comment
19.1.3 National Highways will be concerned with proposals that have the potential to impact on the safe and efficient operation of the Strategic Road Network, in the case of Medway, the A2 west and M2. Comment
19.2 Policy Context
National Planning Policy Framework 2 Comment
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2National Planning Policy Framework chapter 9: Promoting sustainable transport Comment
Medway Local Plan 2003 (Medway Council) Comment
Medway Local Plan 2041 – Submission Regulation 22 (Medway Council) Comment
Planning Practice Guidance: Travel plans, transport assessments and statements, March 2014 Comment
Circular 1/2022, ‘Strategic road network and the delivery of sustainable development’ Comment
Planning for the future: A guide to working with National Highways on planning matters (2023) Comment
Medway Local Transport Plan 2011-2026 (a new LTP is in development) Comment
19.3 Requirement
19.3.1 This policy context shapes Medway Council’s approach in respect of transport contributions, which will be sought for off-site mitigation in respect of the following: Comment
- Sustainable travel: accessible and connected communities
- Highway safety
- Highway capacity
19.3.2 The highway works deemed necessary as a result of a development proposal may include any works for improving the existing highway network, providing new highways, accommodating public transport, pedestrians and cyclists, associated engineering works and necessary legal and administrative costs. Highway works will normally be undertaken by the developer through a Section 278 agreement, which will include a charge for future maintenance. These works will be taken into consideration when determining the level of developer contributions. Comment
19.4 Sustainable Travel: Accessible and Connected Communities
19.4.1 New developments will require access to key services by non-car modes and should promote walking, cycling and the use of public transport for employment, leisure and health purposes. Linkages between new developments and local facilities and community infrastructure, the public transport network and established walking and cycling routes are fundamental to achieving more sustainable patterns of movement and reducing reliance on the private motorcar. Comment
19.4.2 Where necessary, improvements to non-car accessibility will be sought in the form of stand-alone transport measures and/or a contribution towards schemes that Medway Council has identified as providing wider benefits. A contribution towards public transport service provision and associated infrastructure may also be sought in order to enhance the sustainable credentials of the development. Comment
19.4.3 Where necessary, and the development is of appropriate scale, additional on-site services and/or safeguarded lands may be required to provide appropriate non-car access to retail, social, health and education facilities. The Transport Assessment should provide an evidenced demonstration for the need or lack of need for such on-site services. Comment
19.5 Highways Safety
19.5.1 Medway Council places high value on initiatives that reduce the impact of the school run on the highway network and promote ‘active travel’ to schools and other educational establishments. Development proposals may therefore be required to provide a contribution towards educational and promotional initiatives local to the site, including route improvements and the development of School Travel Plans. Comment
19.5.2 For proposed major developments, a Transport Assessment is required to assess road safety data (available from Medway Council) within an agreed area. If the additional movements generated by the development are likely to increase the risk of crashes (all road users) in the vicinity of the site, either directly or indirectly through the diversion of traffic along other routes, a contribution towards mitigation measures may be required. This could be in the form of stand-alone improvements or a contribution towards a scheme that Medway Council has identified would provide wider safety benefits to the local highway network. Comment
19.6 Highway Capacity
19.6.1 Developments that reduce the capacity of the highway network within an agreed area may be required to provide a contribution towards mitigation measures, with a view to ensuring a ‘nil detriment’ impact. This may be in the form of stand-alone measures or a contribution towards a scheme that Medway Council has identified would provide wider benefits to the local highway network. Developments that generate a significant number of HGV movements may be required to provide a contribution towards measures identified in Medway Council’s Network Management Plan, or measures to reduce the impact of HGV parking on the highway network. Comment
