Paragraph 119 of the NPPF sets out that ‘planning policies and decisions should promote an effective use of land in meeting the need for homes and other uses, while safeguarding and improving the environment and ensuring safe and healthy living conditions’.

It is set out in the current consultation that “The role of the Local Plan is to plan positively for the development and infrastructure that the area needs, whilst conserving and enhancing the natural, built and historic environment”.

In order to deliver the Local Plan, it is proposing that the plan is set around strategic objectives. “The objectives will feed into the wording of policies and how sites and different locations are assessed for potential development. The objectives are presented around broad themes for the environment, communities, economy, and investment in infrastructure and design that is fit for the future”.

This representation supports the use of objectives to deliver the strategic aims of the plan, but wishes to raise the following comments regarding the individual objectives:

Objective: Prepared for a sustainable and green future
The objective to support action against climate change and a sustainable future for Medway is supported. This actively meets the aspirations of paragraph 153 of the NPPF which sets out that ‘Plans should take a proactive approach to mitigating and adapting to climate change’.

This representation promotes the delivery of sites in the rural area to help deliver 14,736 homes, amongst others, as a way that could deliver a sustainable and green future for Medway.

Paragraph 5.41 of the Regulation 18 consultation sets out that “large scale development around Hoo St Werburgh and neighbouring villages could provide for planning growth, where new housing is supported by new and improved services and infrastructure. Such development could also help to meet the Council’s ambitions for greener growth, with higher environmental standards in construction, communities better connected for walking and cycling, and within easy reach of local services”.

This representation supports the rural development option, amongst others, including the suburban expansion option, as a way of delivering a sustainable and green future for Medway. They will bring forward opportunities to support sustainable communities and incorporate future sustainable transport network. It will also enable the wider and strategic aim of supporting a green and blue framework for better connectivity for wildlife and improve the quality of lives for residents within.