Comments invited on Local Plan ahead of submission to Planning Inspectors

Thanet’s draft Local Plan, approved by Council on Thursday 19 July, is now in its pre-submission stage. The full Plan will be available for public viewing and comment for six weeks from Thursday 23 August.

Anyone who wishes to access the Local Plan can do so online from Thursday afternoon at https://www.thanet.gov.uk/info-pages/thanets-new-local-plan/

It will also be possible to see copies of the Local Plan in person at the following locations:

• Margate: The Gateway
• Broadstairs: Pierremont Hall
• Ramsgate: Custom House
• District-wide: Any library in the district

The Local Plan sets out policies and proposals that will be used to guide both investment and decisions on development and regeneration. The Plan sets out where homes, jobs, community facilities, shops and infrastructure will be delivered, as well as the type of places and environments we want to create. It also identifies land to be protected from development such as open space. The Plan is intended to cover the district until 2031.

The six week period – which ends at 5pm on Thursday 4 October – provides an opportunity for anyone who wants to offer feedback on the Plan to do so. The comments received on the Local Plan at this stage will be sent on directly to the Planning Inspector for consideration. Anyone who does provide their feedback at this stage may be invited to speak at the public examination of the Plan.

The Council is also publishing other documents for comment:

• The Sustainability Appraisal/Habitat Regulations Assessment (SA/HRA) of the draft Local Plan;
• The draft Transport Strategy for the district; and
• A Landscape Character Assessment of the area, with the intention to adopt it as a supplementary planning document (SPD).

Previous comments submitted about the proposed Local Plan are not carried over and the feedback submitted at the earlier stages of the Plan is not sent to the Planning Inspector. Anyone who wants to ensure that their voice is heard and their comments are seen must provide them at this stage. Submitted comments should carry more weight if they are supported by evidence.

Cllr Bob Bayford, Leader of Thanet District Council said: “We urge anyone who wants to have their say about the proposed plans to use this opportunity to submit comment. The Planning Inspector will examine all of the evidence and public hearings should begin in February. This is an important stage of the process and takes us one step closer to having an approved Local Plan.”

As well as promoting the publication period with adverts in the local media and social media messages, an email or letter will be sent out to those who have previously commented on the Local Plan.