3.2 Overall, BDW is supportive of the Vision for Medway 2041. However, there are questions as to whether chosen spatial strategy will assist deliver this vision.
3.3 Firstly, the Council’s Local Development Scheme states that the Council anticipates that the Plan will be adopted towards the Autumn of 2026. Paragraph 22 of the NPPF requires local plans to look forward a minimum of 15 years from the point of adoption. Given the potential for slippage in the examination of the emerging Local Plan and that the Council does not consider that it would be likely that the Plan is adopted until late 2026, the Plan period is slightly less than 15 years and should be extended to 2042 in order to be consistent with national policy and be considered positively prepared.
3.4 Secondly. the Vision makes reference to the desire to strengthen Medway’s position economically within the wider region. This is line with the emphasis on economic growth within the emerging NPPF and the significant contribution of housebuilding to the economy. It is important that the emerging Local Plan recognises the contribution of housebuilding to the economy, through the jobs created during the construction period, directly and indirectly, the jobs created through associated infrastructure and ensuring that Medway is attractive to the workforce by delivering appropriate and affordable housing.
3.5 The emerging Local Plan should firstly plan for aspirational growth in terms of overall housing delivery and secondly through delivering a range of typologies and tenures through a portfolio of sites which will maintain the delivery of a five-year housing land supply upon adoption. The Site can assist in delivering this aspirational growth through early delivery of a substantial number any range of homes. The spatial strategy should, therefore, take a growth-led approach to help realise this element of the Vision.
3.6 Thirdly, the Vision sets out that all sectors and ages of the community will, by 2041, be able to find decent places to live. In order to deliver this aspiration, the Council will need to ensure that a range of sites are allocated within the emerging Local Plan, with a sufficient number of homes to help delivery the choice required. Key to this will be the delivery of family homes.
3.7 Land North of Rede Court, Strood, will assist the Council in delivering its Vision. The Site has the ability to provide a range of home sizes, tenures and types early on in the Plan period, which will help ensure Medway is attractive to those looking for jobs in the District, strengthening the economy. The Site also has the ability to deliver new energy efficient homes, contributing to the aspiration for reducing carbon emissions. Development on the Site will not cause harm to any local or cultural assets and will contribute towards successful place-making. The Site is in a sustainable location, contributing to the vision for improved travel choices, encouraging the use of active travel and public transport.

Please refer to our full submission documents for further detail.