The Medway Land Availability Assessment (LAA) was published on the 16th October 2023.

As set out in paragraph 3.1.6 of the Land Availability Assessment (LAA) “Medway Council would welcome information to confirm the availability of the 109 sites, otherwise such sites may not be phased for delivery in the first five years of the plan period”.

We are working on behalf of AC Goatham & Son, the owners of the site known as Bloors Farm. This site has been given the reference number RN9 in the LAA.

During the Stage 1: Identification of Sites and Initial Survey, the assessment into site RN9 concludes that it should proceed to Stage 2. It is however, included in the summary map of sites with unknown availability (Appendix F).

This representation seeks to continue the promotion of the site known as Bloors Farm and it is confirmed that it could be delivered in the first 5 years of the Local Plan period. However, for the purposes of confirming land availability Pump and Bloors Farm are available now.

Bloors Farm is circa 27.32 hectare and was submitted under the name "Land between Pump Lane & Bloors Lane, Rainham". This representation confirms that the site continues to be promoted primarily for a housing-led development scheme. The strategic location and size of the site provides the opportunity for the delivery of a major mixed-use scheme, which could be developed in isolation or more strategically with neighbouring sites, namely Pump Farm.

The LPA is now reconsidering the suitability of Bloors Farm, as it is included in the general suburban land approach advocated in the general suburban extension model advocated in Map 2 of the consultation 'Map 2 - overview of potential sites for Suburban Expansion'. An approach that is actively supported through these comments.

AC Goatham & Son confirms that this site will become surplus to requirement as orchards during the Local Plan period, which extends to 2040. It is expected over the coming years that some of the periphery orchards, Bloors Farm being one, will no longer form the main basis of their business model as the intention is to draw in operations closest to their headquarters and consolidate outlying interests. This meets the aspirations of NPPF paragraph 83, which advocates that 'planning policies and decisions should recognise and address the specific locational requirements of different sectors'.

The use of Bloors Farm with its intensive fruit farming operation has attracted significant residential complaints in recent years. Furthermore, the impending requirements for investment in replanting in the coming years will make the ongoing use of the site as an orchard unviable. The need for these sites to remain as agricultural land has been confirmed as having diminished significantly as to effectively extinguish what was formerly identified need.

The landowners are therefore releasing Bloors Farm, along with the neighbouring farm, Pump Farm, during the Local Plan process from their business portfolio of operational orchards.