Strategic objectives and proposals

Strategic objectives are:

• Strengthening our economic base, including cultural tourism markets, supporting good quality schools and training facilities and revitalising our coastal town centres.
• Addressing factors fuelling deprivation and crime.
• Accommodating development at locations that will reduce the need to travel by private cars.
• Safeguarding the natural, historic and scenic interest of the coast and countryside
• Gearing the supply of new homes to meet local needs and support regeneration

Options considered

In reaching our "preferred strategy", a number of alternative options were considered and then rejected. Part of the main consultation document shows these options and discusses the reasons for discarding them.

The Proposed Strategy

Introduction

Part 8 of the main consultation document sets out our draft Core Strategy, including the key priorities, proposals and policies. This is summarised in the remainder of this leaflet.

The goal of the Strategy is to secure for Thanet the type and quality of economic and housing growth and supporting infrastructure needed to support a more mixed, settled, healthy, better educated, fulfilled and confident community.

The Strategy also has an essential role in protecting and improving our quality of life and ensuring necessary change and development is sustainable and takes account of flood risk and climate change. Change must be accommodated in ways that respect and enhance the rich heritage and environmental quality of Thanet, which make the area an attractive place.

The Strategy’s priority aims are to:

1. Attract and create additional employment to strengthen and diversify the local economy and employment base and to improve local earning power and employability.

2. Address the high level of social deprivation suffered in parts of the district and build a more mixed, healthy and confident community.

3.Deliver a range of new homes accessible to, and suitable to the needs and aspirations of, a more settled and balanced community.

4.Promote awareness, responsible enjoyment, protection and sensitive enhancement of Thanet’s coast, rich historic heritage, townscape and diverse landscapes.

Strategic proposals are:

1. That as a regional airport, Kent International should be a fundamental generator of employment and business growth.

2. That Westwood develops and consolidates as a successful and complete residential and business community.

3. To reshape Margate town centre and waterfront as an attractive, dynamic, thriving and successful "town by the sea" with a sustainable economic heart, celebrating its traditions as a place of relaxation, leisure and seaside fun.

4. To protect and diversify the commercial function of Port Ramsgate as Kent’s second cross-Channel port.

5. To safeguard and increase the proportion of family houses in the overall housing stock.

6. To safeguard the character and attractiveness of Thanet’s residential neighbourhoods.

7. To support coordinated strategies and initiatives to break the cycle of severe deprivation in Central Margate and Cliftonville West.

• Introduction - help shape the future of Thanet
• Strategic objectives and proposals
• Housing
• Economy and Employment
• Westwood
• The Coastal Towns
• Sustainable development
• Coast and Countryside

Communications

Email:

hannah.thorpe@
thanet.gov.uk

Phone:

01843 577120