Minerals and Waste Development Framework

Planning for the future of minerals and waste in Kent

Evidence Base for the Minerals and Waste Core Strategy Strategy & Policy Directions consultation

Minerals & Waste Topic Report 5: Review of Kent District Council’s Local Development Frameworks and Sustainable Communities Strategies

May 2011

Review of LDFs and SCSs in Kent Kent County Council Contents 1 Introduction 1

2 Kent District Council's Sustainable Community Strategies 4 and Local Development Frameworks 2.1 Ashford Borough Council 4 2.2 City Council 5 2.3 Borough Council 7 2.4 District Council 8 2.5 Borough Council 8 2.6 Borough Council 9 2.7 District Council 9 2.8 Shepway Borough Council 10 2.9 Swale Borough Council 11 2.10 Council 11 2.11 and Malling Borough Council 12 2.12 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council 13

3 Conclusions 14 Kent County Council Review of LDFs and SCSs in Kent Contents Review of LDFs and SCSs in Kent Kent County Council 1 1

1 Introduction Introduction

1.0.1 The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the current planning policy documents within Kent particularly those written and used by District Councils in the county. The paper will identify the issues within these documents which are of relevance to the Minerals and Waste Development Framework. The Sustainable Community Strategies within Kent will also be looked at to also identify any important themes.

1.0.2 Kent comprises 12 districts illustrated by the map below. The map also shows Council which is a unitary authority and produces its own minerals and waste policies which form part of its LDF.

Figure 1: Map of District Councils in Kent

DA Medway ME Dartford Gravesham GR Thanet TH SW Swale

CA Sevenoaks SE TM Canterbury Maidstone MA Dover DO

Tunbridge Wells Ashford AS TW

SH Shepway ¯ 0 5 10 20 Kilometers

(C) Crown Copyright. All rights reserved 100019238, 2010

Kent Districts

1.0.3 Planning Policy Statement 12: Local Spatial Planning states that Local Development Frameworks need to be in compliance with Sustainable Community Strategies. Paragraph 1.6 states "The new planning system therefore both offers, and requires, the development of a stronger leadership role for local authorities and elected members, built on collaboration through LSPs and accountable delivery through LAAs. The government intends that spatial planning objectives for local areas, as set out in the LDF, should be aligned not only with national and regional plans, but also with the shared local priorities set out in Sustainable Community Strategies where these are consistent with national and regional policy". 2 Kent County Council Review of LDFs and SCSs in Kent

Sustainable Community Strategies

1.0.4 A Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) is produced by Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) in each borough. It includes a range of aims and objectives which need to be addressed over the plan period. These goals can cover a range of issues and can include housing provision, employment, skills, health and the environment. Introduction The content of a SCS informs the aims and objectives of the Local Development 1 Frameworks (LDF).

Local Development Frameworks

1.0.5 Under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 local planning authorities (district/borough councils and unitary councils) are required to produce a Local Development Framework (LDF). A LDF comprises a suite of documents which form local planning policy. Figure 2 shows the documents which make up the LDF and how they relate to one another (1).

1 (Source:) Planning Aid (2006) The Planning Pack available at: http://www.rtpi.org.uk/download/7318/Sheet_4_Local_Development_Frameworks_-_What_are_they_and_how_are_they_prepared.pdf Review of LDFs and SCSs in Kent Kent County Council 3 1 Introduction

1.0.6 NB. At the time of writing the Regional Spatial Strategy is still adopted although Government confirmed that the RSS will be abolished under the Localism Bill.

1.0.7 A Core Strategy sets out the long term vision (fifteen years) for the area, the strategic objectives and the strategic planning policies needed to deliver the vision.

1.0.8 A Site Allocations document "allocates land for specific uses"(2).

2 Same source as footnote 1. 4 Kent County Council Review of LDFs and SCSs in Kent

2 Kent District Council's Sustainable Community Strategies and Local Development Frameworks

2.0.1 Of the 12 local planning authorities in Kent, five have adopted Core Strategies (Ashford, Dover, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells) and the remaining council's core strategies are at various stages of preparation.

2.0.2 The District Councils in East Kent (Canterbury, Dover, Shepway and Thanet) have produced a joint Sustainable Community Strategy for East Kent. Dartford and Gravesham have also produced a joint sustainable community strategy (see page 7).

2.1 Ashford Borough Council

Sustainable Community Strategy

2.1.1 The Ashford Sustainable Community Strategy was adopted in 2008 and provides a vision for the borough up to 2018. The document contains the following eight themes.

Learning for Everyone

Economic success

Improving health and wellbeing

Promoting environmental excellence

Stronger and safer communities

Enjoying Life

Keeping Ashford moving

Achieving high quality housing

2.1.2 Not all the themes are of relevance to the Minerals and Waste Development Framework. However within the 'Keep Ashford Moving' theme reference is made to the need to 'support the Highways Agency in bringing forward plans for a new motorway junction south of Junction 10 on the M20 and upgrade the capacity of Junction 9 and the associated Drovers' Roundabout. A second aim is to 'promote plans to build a new road (Victoria Way) between Beaver Road and Brookfield Road to provide an alternative route around the town centre. Kent District Council's Sustainable Community Strategies and Local Development Frameworks 2 Review of LDFs and SCSs in Kent Kent County Council 5 2

Ashford Borough Council's Core Strategy Frameworks Development Local and Strategies Community Sustainable Council's District Kent

2.1.3 Ashford has been identified as a growth area within the South East Plan (Regional Spatial Strategy). The Core Strategy which was adopted in July 2008 plans for the provision of 16,770 new dwellings and provision for 16,700 additional jobs.

2.1.4 The plan identifies the need for an additional junction on the M20 and alternative route around Ashford. However, it is understood that since the Spending review announced in October 2010, the additional junction has been put on hold by the Highways Agency.

2.2 Canterbury City Council

East Kent Sustainable Community Strategy

2.2.1 The focus of the document is stimulating economic development within the four district administrative areas and therefore the aim of the document is that by 2030 East Kent will have a thriving economy with an international reputation for research and development at the cutting edge of emerging technologies. It also aims to expand and integrate the transport network. The East Kent Sustainable Community Strategy was adopted in 2009 and focuses on the following six themes:

Education

Economic

Communities

Transport

Visitor Destination

Environment

2.2.2 The priority of relevance to the Minerals and Waste Development Framework falls within the Transport theme and is as follows:

Expand the Port of Dover.

Canterbury City Council's Core Strategy

2.2.3 Canterbury City Council consulted on their Core Strategy Issues report in January 2010. The Core Strategy is at an early stage in its production and the issues document included the following options for the distribution of development in the District: 6 Kent County Council Review of LDFs and SCSs in Kent

Infill in the city centre

Development to be focused in the wider urban areas of Canterbury and the coastal towns

An urban extension of Canterbury

Urban extensions at and

Dispersed across the District (urban areas and villages)

New free standing settlement

2.2.4 Housing numbers for the District are not included in the document.

2.2.5 The Core Strategy also identifies the need for additional slip roads along the A2 to serve Wincheap.

2.2.6 Canterbury City Council's Local Plan, adopted in 2006 is currently the development plan for the District. Policy C41 concerns waste management and recycling and states:

Table 1

Any major proposal for waste disposal, waste incineration, energy generation from waste or other waste-related proposals, will need to address the following issues:

a) The need for the proposal;

b) Consideration of alternative sites;

c) Air quality and the impact on public health;

d) Impact on the landscape and visual amenity;

e) Geology, hydrology and ground conditions;

f) Ecology and nature conservation interests;

g) Noise impact;

h) Archaeology;

i) Traffic generation and alternative methods of transportation of waste by means other than by road;

j) Impact on residential amenity; Kent District Council's Sustainable Community Strategies and Local Development Frameworks 2 Review of LDFs and SCSs in Kent Kent County Council 7 2

k) Lifetime of the scheme and any subsequent restoration of the site. Frameworks Development Local and Strategies Community Sustainable Council's District Kent (3)

2.3 Dartford Borough Council

Dartford and Gravesham Sustainable Community Strategy

2.3.1 The Dartford and Gravesham Sustainable Community Strategy was adopted in 2008 and has five themes.

Economic Development

Health and Wellbeing

Safer Communities

Environment and Transport

Housing and Stronger Communities

Dartford Borough Council Core Strategy

2.3.2 Dartford Borough Council submitted their Core Strategy to the Secretary of State for examination in May 2011. The Borough of Dartford falls within the Thameside regeneration area and their Core Strategy identifies four areas where development will be focused.

2.3.3 Dartford Town Centre and Northern Gateway - The aim is to revitalise the town centre and land at the Northern Gateway will be redeveloped to provide mixed use. The Northern Gateway will provide 1700 new homes and 1300 jobs.

2.3.4 Ebbsfleet to Stone - The former chalk quarries will be brought back into use to incorporate areas of business use, homes and community facilities.

2.3.5 The Thames Waterfront - Vacant sites will be redeveloped to create mixed use developments along the waterfront.

2.3.6 Proposed Policy CS21 of the Core Strategy regarding community services states that Dartford Borough Council will "work with Kent County Council to identify an additional site for a household waste recycling centre" (4).

3 Canterbury Local Plan available at www.canterbury.gov.uk 4 Dartford Core Strategy Submission document (2011) page 79. 8 Kent County Council Review of LDFs and SCSs in Kent

2.4 Council

Dover Core Strategy

2.4.1 Dover District Council adopted their Core Strategy in February 2010 and makes provision for 14000 new homes over the plan period and 10,000 new jobs.

2.4.2 Four strategic sites/locations have been identified within the Core Strategy as suitable sites for future development. The sites are as follows:

Dover Waterfront

Mid-Town Dover

Former Connaught Barracks Complex, Dover

The managed expansion of Whitfield

2.4.3 The document also makes provision for the expansion of the Western Docks at Dover to handle increased ferry traffic.

2.4.4 A masterplan has been produced for the managed expansion of Whitfield. It is proposed that the area to the west, north and east of the existing village will accommodate the expansion. In total the expansion will have 5750 new homes and be supported by the necessary infrastructure, retail and small offices. To support the expansion, extensions and improvements to the A2 and A256 will be required and these are planned for 2011-2016.

2.5 Gravesham Borough Council

Gravesham Borough Council's Core Strategy

2.5.1 Gravesham Borough Council identify three strategic regeneration opportunities within their Core Strategy. At Ebbsfleet the Borough Council propose a 1000 acre mixed use development close to Ebbsfleet International Station. It is proposed that this site will accommodate 1,064 new homes.

2.5.2 The South East Development Agency (SEEDA) have acquired the Red Lion Wharf site for regeneration purposes . Regeneration will also be focused on Town Centre and the Canal Basin. The Core Strategy does not identify any significant enhancements to the transport network within the borough.

2.5.3 Gravesham plan to deliver 8,324 dwellings between 2006 and 2026. 9,200 units will be delivered in the Sub-Region (ie. North of the A2). Kent District Council's Sustainable Community Strategies and Local Development Frameworks 2 Review of LDFs and SCSs in Kent Kent County Council 9 2 2.6 Maidstone Borough Council etDsrc oni' utial omnt taeisadLclDvlpetFrameworks Development Local and Strategies Community Sustainable Council's District Kent

Maidstone Sustainable Community Strategy

2.6.1 Maidstone Sustainable Community Strategy was adopted in 2009 and plans up to 2020. The Council has identified the following eight areas which are the focus of the document.

Economy and prosperity

Sustainable and Integrated Transport

Crime, confidence and safety

Health and older people

Children, young people and families

Homes and communities

Sport, Creativity and Culture

Environmental excellence and climate change.

2.6.2 As part of the Environmental Excellence and Climate Change topic, one of the objectives is to reduce waste.

Maidstone Borough Council's Core Strategy

2.6.3 Maidstone Borough Council are currently preparing their Core Strategy and are due to consult in 2011. It is understood that the Core Strategy will include a housing target of 10,080 dwellings to be delivered between 2006 and 2026 with 80% located in and adjacent to Maidstone and 20% in the rural service centres. Until the Core Strategy is adopted Maidstone Borough Councils adopted Local Plan is the development document for the Borough. The Local Plan was adopted in 2000 and requires the Borough to deliver 7,400 dwellings by 2006.

2.7 Council

Sevenoaks District Sustainable Community Action Plan

2.7.1 Sevenoaks District Sustainable Community Action Plan was adopted in 2010 and identifies 12 priorities for the District.

Help communities feel safe and be safe Meeting the needs of an aging population A better start for our children Improve the lives of young people in the district 10 Kent County Council Review of LDFs and SCSs in Kent

A clean, healthy environment Energy, resources and climate change Improve health and well being Development and the environment Strong active and involved communities Keep Sevenoaks District moving Housing to meet residents needs A thriving economy.

Sevenoaks District Council's Core Strategy

2.7.2 The Sevenaosk District Core Strategy was adopted in February 2011. The majority of development will be focused in Sevenaosk with being the secondary focus for development. Edenbridge will accommodate development of a suitable scale. The Core Strategy plans for 1330 sq. Metres of employment floorspace and 4000 sq.m of retail floorspace. A mixed use development is proposed West of Bligh's Meadow on the north-western side of Sevenoaks Town centre. Land east of the High Street adjoining Buckhurst Way is also proposed for retail use.

2.7.3 In Swanley 660 new homes will be delivered over the plan period with 22.7ha of land being regenerated for employment purposes and 8.1ha of new employment land will be delivered adjoining the M25 at Junction 3.

2.7.4 At Edenbridge, 411 new homes will be delivered and land to the west of the town has been safeguarded for development to meet future needs.

2.8 Shepway Borough Council

Shepway District Council's Core Strategy

2.8.1 Shepway District Council consulted on their Core Strategy Preferred Options document in Summer 2009. The document proposes to deliver between 6 and 8,000 new dwellings between 2006 and 2026. In Summer 2010 Shepway District Council consulted on their proposals for five strategic sites to be included in their Core Strategy. The sites proposed were

Folkestone Harbour and Sea Front

Shorncliffe MoD land (including Risborough and Napier Barracks)

Westenhanger ( Racecourse)

New Romney (land between Cockreed Land and the town centre)

Lympne (former airfield) Kent District Council's Sustainable Community Strategies and Local Development Frameworks 2 Review of LDFs and SCSs in Kent Kent County Council 11 2 2.8.2 In terms of employment provision, it is proposed that between 4 and 14 etDsrc oni' utial omnt taeisadLclDvlpetFrameworks Development Local and Strategies Community Sustainable Council's District Kent hectares pf industrial/office space will be provided in Folkestone, Hythe, Hawkinge, Lympne and .

2.9 Swale Borough Council

Swale Sustainable Community Strategy

2.9.1 Swale Sustainable Community Strategy was adopted in 2009 and identifies eight priority themes:

Ambitions for Learning

Ambitions for Prosperity

Ambitions for Inclusion and Safety

Ambitions for Health

Ambitions for our Environment

Ambitions for Culture

Ambitions for Transport

Ambitions for Homes and Communities

2.9.2 The Sustainable Community Strategy aims to reduce waste and improve recycling.

2.9.3 Swale Borough Council's Core Strategy

2.9.4 Swale Borough Council consulted on their Core Strategy issues document in January 2011. At this stage housing and employment numbers have not been decided. The adopted Local Plan is the development document for the Borough and was adopted in 2000. It requires the Borough to deliver 7,400 dwellings by 2006.

2.10 Thanet District Council

Thanet District Council's Core Strategy

2.10.1 Thanet District Council consulted on their Core Strategy Preferred Options in October 2009. The preferred approach is to deliver 7,500 new homes over the plan period as required by the South East Plan and to continue to support ManstonAirport and its growth and retain selected business park allocations. 12 Kent County Council Review of LDFs and SCSs in Kent

2.10.2 The Core Strategy identifies a number of highway improvements which are required over the plan period which are the remaining phase of turning the A299 and A256 into dual carriageway is planned for completion during the plan period. Improvements are also needed to the A256 between Stirling Way and Lord of the Manor.

2.10.3 The Core Strategy identifies the need for the headworks at Foreness Point to be protected against coastal erosion(5)

2.11 Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council

Tonbridge and Malling Sustainable Community Strategy

2.11.1 The Tonbridge and Malling Sustainable Community Strategy was adopted in 2009 and identifies the following six priorities:

A safer place with lower levels of crime and anti-social behaviour.

A cleaner, smarter borough

Improving health and reducing inequalities

Protecting and enhancing the environment

A place with good local transport

A strong economy and decent housing.

2.11.2 To meet the fourth priority the Sustainable Community Strategy aims to "use social marketing techniques to promote waste reduction and recycling in areas of the borough where there are lower than average participation rates and evaluate the effectiveness of these approaches.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council's Core Strategy

2.11.3 The Tonbridge and Malling Core Strategy was adopted in September 2007 and requires 4,107 dwellings to be delivered over the plan period with the majority of development to be focused on the larger settlements in the borough.

2.11.4 Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council adopted their Development Management Policies in April 2010. Under Policy CP2 planning applications need to minimise waste produced on site and promote recycling and the application should be supported with a site management plan

Kent District Council's Sustainable Community Strategies and Local Development Frameworks 5 The headworks pump wastewater from and , for treatment at Weatherlees

2 Wastewater Treatment Works. Review of LDFs and SCSs in Kent Kent County Council 13 2 2.12 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council etDsrc oni' utial omnt taeisadLclDvlpetFrameworks Development Local and Strategies Community Sustainable Council's District Kent

Tunbridge Wells Draft Sustainable Community Strategy

2.12.1 The Tunbridge Wells LSP have produced a draft Sustainable Community Strategy with the following ambitions:

Safer communities

Stronger Communities

Children and families

Health and Older people

Housing

Economy, Skills and Transport.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's Core Strategy

2.12.2 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's Core Strategy was adopted in June 2010 and is currently undergoing review. The adopted plan makes provision for 6000 new dwellings from 2006 to 2026 in line with the South East Plan. Development will focus on the main urban areas in the borough of Tunbridge Wells, Southborough and . The existing employment floorspace will be retained and during the plan period. The Core Strategy identifies the need to improve the A21, A26, A228. Work to the A21 has been postponed due to the outcome of the Spending Review in October 2010. 14 Kent County Council Review of LDFs and SCSs in Kent

3 Conclusions

3.0.1 In order to be in compliance with the Sustainable Community Strategies of the the Kent Districts, it is important that the MWDF addresses the following issues:

Ensuring the MWDF embraces the use of sustainable transport for the movement Conclusions of minerals and waste; and 3 To ensure the MWDF supports the need to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.