Canterbury District Local Plan

Appendix 1

KENT AND MEDWAY STRUCTURE PLAN POLICIES

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Below is a list of the Kent and Medway Structure Plan policies Adopted July 2006 that relate to the Canterbury District. Those policies that are specifically referred to in the Canterbury District Local Plan have been reproduced in their entirety for ease of reference. For other policies listed and supporting text, the original source of these policies, namely, the published Kent and Medway Structure Plan 2006 should be referred to.

www.kmsp.org.uk/contents.html

CHAPTER 1 - OUR VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES

SP1 Conserving and Enhancing Kent's Environment and Ensuring a Sustainable Pattern of Development

CHAPTER 2 - THE SPATIAL STRATEGY FOR KENT

SS1 Spatial Priorities for Development and Investment in Kent and the role of the settlement hierarchy

SS4 Priority for Previously Developed Land & A Sequential Approach to the Location of Development

SS5 Mixed Use in Town Centres & Inner Urban Areas

SS6 Enhancing Existing Communities

SS7 Development at rural service centres and other rural settlements

SS8 Development in the Countryside

Table SS1 Major and Principal Urban Areas in Kent

Table SS2 Rural Service Centres

CHAPTER 3 - AREA POLICIES

CA1 Canterbury

At Canterbury the location of new development will be governed by the need to conserve the built environment and setting of the historic city.

Expansion of the Further and Higher Education sectors in Canterbury will be supported. Knowledge and technology uses linked to this sector will be encouraged, initially through the identification of a site not exceeding 10 hectares.

New office accommodation contributing to local business need, diversification of the economy and urban regeneration will be promoted in the city and through provision for up to 20 hectares (or its floorspace equivalent of 70,000 square metres) for business development (Use Classes B1 (a) and B1 (b)) at Canterbury at a location easily accessible to the city by way of public transport and cycling as well as by car.

The supply of housing land will primarily rely on enhanced urban capacity, unless alternative land identified in Local Development Documents is justified to provide for the housing requirement within this Plan.

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The transport strategy for the City of Canterbury will be reviewed to:

bring forward further initiatives to provide for enhanced public transport and facilities for cycling and walking as alternatives to the use of the car;

promote junction improvements on the A2 to the west and south of Canterbury.

At Herne Bay/Whitstable it is strategic policy to enhance and diversify the local economy. A site, or sites at Herne Bay/Whitstable, providing up to 10 hectares (or its floorspace equivalent of 35,000 square metres) for the relocation and expansion of local firms and inward investment, should be identified.

At Hersden proposals to assist regeneration will be supported consistent with its location within a Priority Area for Economic Regeneration, as designated by RPG9, and commensurate with its size, location and status as a rural settlement.

CHAPTER 4 - PROTECTING AND ENHANCING OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

EN1 Protecting Kent's Countryside

Kent's countryside will be protected, conserved and enhanced for its own sake. This is important for the social, economic and environmental well being of Kent. Development in the countryside should seek to maintain or enhance it. Development which will adversely affect the countryside will not be permitted unless there is an overriding need for it which outweighs the requirement to protect the countryside. Development so permitted should include appropriate mitigation and/or compensation.

EN2 Protecting Kent's Coast and Estuaries

Kent's undeveloped coast and estuaries will be protected, conserved and enhanced. Development in such areas and in adjoining countryside will not be permitted if it materially detracts from the scenic, heritage, wildlife or scientific value of these areas. Development so permitted should include appropriate mitigation and/or compensation.

EN3 Protection and Enhancement of Countryside Character

Kent's landscape and wildlife habitats will be protected, conserved and enhanced. Development will not be permitted if it would lead to the loss of features or habitats which are of landscape, historic, wildlife or geological importance, or are of an unspoilt quality free from urban intrusion unless there is a need for development which outweighs these considerations.

Where a need for development in the countryside is justified, important features and characteristics will be retained. Proposals should reflect the need for conservation, reinforcement, restoration or creation of countryside character and provide for the appropriate management of important features and the wider landscape.

Where formal assessments of landscape character and quality identify landscapes of local significance, they should be designated in Local Development Documents.

EN4 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Heritage Coast

Protection will be given to the nationally important landscapes of:

the Kent Downs and High Weald Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty; and
Kent's Heritage Coast between Kingsdown and Dover and between Dover and Folkestone.

The primary objective in these areas will be to protect, conserve and enhance landscape character and natural beauty.

Major commercial, mineral or transport infrastructure developments will not be permitted unless it can be demonstrated that:

there is a proven national interest;

there are no alternative sites available or the need cannot be met in any other way; and

appropriate provision can be made to minimise harm to the environment.

Other development which would be detrimental to the natural beauty, quality and character of the landscape and quiet enjoyment of the area will not be permitted. Development that is essential to meet local social or economic needs should be permitted provided that it is consistent with the purpose of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Heritage Coast.

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EN5 Special Landscape Areas

Special Landscape Areas are defined as follows and indicated on the Key Diagram. Detailed boundaries of the SLAs will be reviewed and defined in Local Plans/Local Development Documents.

North Downs
Greensand Belt
High Weald
Eastern Low Weald
Western Low Weald
Old Romney Shoreline
North Kent Marshes
Sandwich Bay/Pegwell Bay
Dungeness
Blean Woods

The primary objective of designating Special Landscape Areas is the protection, conservation and enhancement of the quality of their landscapes, whilst having regard to the need to facilitate the social and economic well-being of the communities situated within them.

EN6 International and National Wildlife Designations

Development will not be permitted where it would directly, indirectly or cumulatively, materially harm the scientific or nature conservation interests of any of the following categories of sites:

a European site;
a proposed European site;
a Ramsar site;
a Site of Special Scientific Interest;
a National Nature Reserve.

EN7 County and Local Wildlife Designations

Development which would materially harm the scientific or nature conservation interests, either directly, indirectly or cumulatively, of:

Local Nature Reserves
County Wildlife Sites identified in Local Development Documents
Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Sites

will not be permitted unless there is a need which outweighs the local nature conservation or geological/ geomorphological interest and adverse impacts can be adequately compensated.

EN8: Protection, Conservation and Enhancement of Biodiversity

Wildlife habitats and species will be protected, conserved and enhanced, especially through long term management and habitat creation schemes, particularly where they have been identified as national and county priorities in the UK and Kent Biodiversity Action Plan(s), or where they are protected under wildlife legislation. This will be secured by:

ensuring that site evaluation is undertaken to establish the nature conservation value of proposed development sites;

identifying, safeguarding and managing existing and potential land for nature conservation as part of development proposals, particularly where a connected series of sites can be achieved;

local planning authorities identifying locations and proposals for habitat and species management, restoration and creation.

Development likely to have an adverse effect, directly, indirectly or cumulatively, on important habitats or species will not be permitted unless:

there is an overriding need for the development that outweighs adverse impact on nature conservation; and
adverse impact on an important nature conservation resource can be adequately mitigated and/or compensated.

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EN9 Trees, Woodland and Hedgerows

Provision should be made for the creation of new woodland, especially indigenous broad-leaved species at appropriate locations in Kent, including provision of new habitats as part of development proposals.

Tree cover and the hedgerow network should be maintained. Additionally, they should be enhanced where this would improve the landscape, biodiversity, or link existing woodland habitats. Ancient and semi-natural woodland will be protected and, where possible, enhanced.

EN10 Potential for Community Forests and Woodlands

EN11 Planning and Management of the Urban Fringe

EN12 River Corridors

The environment within river corridors and river catchments, including the landscape, water environment and wildlife habitats, will be conserved and enhanced. Where consistent with this, provision will be made for:

increased opportunities for access and water recreation;
increased public access for walking, cycling and horse riding and links to existing rights of way and cycleway networks.

Supply of water, treatment and disposal of waste water and flood risk management should be sustainable and deliver environmental benefits.

EN13 Environmental Enhancement of Primary Routes

EN14 Rural Lanes

Rural lanes which are of landscape, amenity, nature conservation, historic or archaeological importance will be protected from changes and management practices which would damage their character, and where possible will be enhanced.

CHAPTER 5 - PROMOTING QUALITY OF LIFE IN TOWN AND COUNTRY

QL1 Quality of Development and Design

QL2 Priorities for the Public Realm

QL3 Movement and Accessibility in the Public Realm

QL4 Maintaining the Separation and Identity of Settlements

QL5 Mix of Uses on Sites

QL6 Conservation Areas

The primary planning policy towards conservation areas is to preserve or enhance their special character or appearance.

Development within conservation areas should preserve or enhance their character or appearance. Development which would harm the character or appearance of a conservation area will not be permitted.

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District Planning Authorities should:

include policies within local development documents that protect, within conservation areas, the plan form, buildings, architectural features, archaeological sites, trees, streets and spaces, and the relationships between these features, which contribute to their special character and setting;

ii)

review the boundaries of existing conservation areas and, where appropriate, amend them and/or identify new conservation areas;

iii)

carry out conservation area appraisals to identify important features or characteristics which need to be protected and develop strategies for the enhancement of conservation areas.

QL7 Archaeological Sites

The archaeological and historic integrity of scheduled ancient monuments and other important archaeological sites, together with their settings, will be protected and, where possible, enhanced. Development which would adversely affect them will not be permitted.

Where important or potentially important archaeological remains may exist, developers will be required to arrange for archaeological assessment and/or field evaluation to be carried out in advance of the determination of planning applications.

Where the case for development affecting an archaeological site is accepted, the archaeological remains should be preserved in situ. Where preservation in situ is not possible or justified, appropriate provision for preservation by record will be required.

QL8 Buildings of Architectural or Historic Importance

Listed Buildings will be preserved and their architectural and historic integrity and the character of their settings will be protected and enhanced. Development which will adversely affect them will not be permitted. Changes of use will be permitted where these will provide the best reasonable means of conserving the character, appearance, fabric, integrity and setting of listed buildings.

QL9 Historic Landscape Features

QL10 Heritage Assets - Enabling Development

QL11 The Protection and Enhancement of Existing Community Services

QL12 Provision for New Community Services and Infrastructure

QL13 Cultural development and the arts

QL14 Provision for major sporting venues

QL15 Formal and informal recreation/sport facilities

QL16 Water recreation

QL17 Green space networks and rights of way

QL18 Strategic Green Space Initiatives

CHAPTER 6 - EMPLOYMENT AND PROSPERITY

EP1 Land, Workforce, Education and Skills

EP2 Employment land provision

Priority will be given to developing sites in Kent with planning consent or identified in local plans for financial and professional services, business, industrial and warehousing uses (Use Classes A2/B1-8) as at 2001.

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In addition new land (or its floorspace equivalent) should be identified as follows:

In Medway at least 20 hectares (70,000 square metres) for a wide range of employment uses, including the knowledge and technology sectors, as part of mixed use development at Chattenden/Lodge Hill;
At Canterbury City up to 10 hectares to provide specifically for knowledge and technology uses linked to the higher education sector in Canterbury and up to 20 hectares (70,000 square metres) for office accommodation and business development within Use Classes B1(a) and B1(b) at the city;
At Herne Bay-Whitstable up to 10 hectares (35,000 square metres) to ensure a continuing supply of land for the relocation and expansion of local firms and to attract inward investment to the coastal towns;
In Shepway provision of up to 20 hectares (70,000 square metres) to improve choice and support inward investment;
At Ashford further employment land will be provided where required to give support, for the longer term, to its role as a regional growth point based on balanced employment and housing growth;

Accordingly the total provision for net additional floorspace provision for financial and professional services, business, industrial and warehousing uses will be:

Local Authority Area	Net Commitment at 2001 (000's sq.m)	New Provision (000's sq.m)	Total 2001-21 (000's sq. m)
Canterbury	161	140	301
Kent	5,147	280	5,314

Existing employment sites that are well located and otherwise well suited to employment use should be retained for this purpose. Existing commitments may be reviewed through Local Development Documents. Sites which have not succeeded because of constraints or poor quality may be replaced by alternative, more marketable and better located allocations provided that this:

does not prejudice the scale and implementation of strategic locations for business development supported and safeguarded by this Plan (Policy EP4);
does not conflict with other Structure Plan policies.

Measures, including investment by the public and private sectors to provide serviced sites and/or land reclamation, should be taken to bring forward sites that the market alone would not develop. Schemes will be encouraged to improve unattractive sites where this is a main reason for their lack of investment.

Local Development Documents should identify land for the appropriate location of businesses likely to cause environmental disturbance, particularly in residential or mixed use areas.

Employment uses other than those covered by Policy EP2 (but excluding retail and leisure) may be included on the major sites provided that this does not conflict with the policies of this Plan, notably in respect of the location of major generators of travel demand.

Business and commercial development should secure the efficient use of land including the redevelopment of low density uses especially where located within the major/principal urban areas.

Notes To Policy EP2:

** Includes land at Richborough-Sandwich previously occupied by a variety of uses and now available for redevelopment.

# Figures for Tonbridge and Malling allow for revised mix of land uses at Kings Hill and reduced B1 content pursuant to Policies HP1 and TM1.

& Figures for Swale allow for some rationalisation of business floorspace at Faversham pursuant to Policy SW1

Net Commitments include net completions 2001-2002, local plan allocations at 2002, net planning permissions at 2002 and vacant plots within existing employment sites.

New provision based on 3,500 sq. m per hectare.

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EP3 Location of New or Replacement Employment Land

EP4 Locations of Strategic Importance for Business, Industrial or Distribution Uses

EP5 Land for Technology and Knowledge Clusters

High quality proposals for intensification or expansion in the technology and knowledge sectors will be supported at the following locations unless there are overriding environmental impacts which cannot be adequately mitigated:

a new site at Canterbury linked to the University (pursuant to Policy EP2);

expansion of technology and knowledge activities at:

Fort Halstead (Sevenoaks District);
East Malling Research;
Kings Hill;
Pfizer and land in the Sandwich Corridor at Richborough;
Kent Science Park;
Chatham Maritime; and
Adjacent to Rochester Airfield.

the expansion, at existing locations, of other key employers in the technology and knowledge sectors.

EP6 Premises for small firms

EP7 Development of employment uses in rural areas

EP8 Farm diversification

EP9 Protection of agricultural land

In order to protect the long term productive potential of agriculture, development of agricultural land will only take place when there is an overriding need identified in the Development Plan which cannot be accommodated within the major/principal urban areas, rural service centres or on other previously developed land;

Best and most versatile agricultural land (DEFRA Grades 1, 2 and 3a) will be protected from development unless:

there is no alternative site on land of poorer agricultural quality; or
alternative sites have greater value for their landscape, biodiversity, amenity, heritage or natural resources; or
the land proposed for development is more accessible to infrastructure, the workforce or markets than the alternatives.

EP10 Sustainable Tourism Development

EP11 Tourism development and regeneration

EP12 Tourist accommodation

EP13 Major tourism/visitor attractions

EP14 Development at the hierarchy of strategic centres

EP15 Sequential consideration of sites for retail and leisure development

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EP16 Development for core comparison goods shopping

EP17 Development of large food stores

EP18 Urban and Rural Service Centres

Table EP4 The Strategic Hierarchy of Retail and Service Centres in Kent

CHAPTER 7 - HOUSING PROVISION AND DISTRIBUTION

HP1 Housing Provision and Distribution 2001- 2016

Provision for housing for 2001- 2016 will be made in accordance with the following quantities:

	Dwellings (net)
	2001- 2006	2006- 2011	2011-2016	2001-2016
Canterbury	2,100	2,300	2,200	6,600
Kent	29,000	31,700	33,100	93,800

* including provision for 13,100 dwellings 2001-2016 at the Ashford growth point

+ includes provision for up to 1,000 dwellings at Aylesham

@ The HP1 quantity for Maidstone Borough is a minimum. Any increase in housing provision will be governed by study of urban capacity and identification of sustainably located sites through the preparation of Local Development Documents.

# The housing quantity for Medway reflects the scale of development expected to occur by 2016 given the complexity of the key urban regeneration sites and the development programme for the proposed new settlement at Chattenden/Lodge Hill. Should a higher rate of development prove to be feasible on these sites this will be considered, subject to the provision of necessary infrastructure and services in accordance with an agreed development strategy for each site.

Notes to Policy HP1

The quantities in Policy HP1 include all forms of housing development providing self contained dwelling units for permanent accommodation and relate to net increases to the housing stock after 31st March 2001 i.e. net of demolitions or other losses from the housing stock. In order to secure the overall average annual rate of provision for the 2001/2016 period the quantities for the three phasing periods to 2016 are cumulative i.e. any surplus or shortfall from the early periods of the Plan are carried forward to subsequent periods.

For the purposes of implementing Policy HP1 housing provision will mean the expected net dwelling capacity of planning permissions and allocations in previously adopted or deposited development plans which were outstanding at 31st March 2001 (including dwellings then under construction) plus the planned net dwelling capacity on sites subsequently released or to be released for development through allocations in development plans and planning permissions. The assessment of the level of provision in relation to Policy HP1 will also allow for:

the expected contribution from sites below the site size threshold adopted for the identification of development plan allocations; and

ii)

the expected contribution from other windfall sites involving previously developed land.

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Table HP1: Annual Average Rates of Housing Provision By Phases: 2001- 2016

	Dwellings (net) ++
	2001-2006	2006-2011	2011- 2016	2001 - 2016
Canterbury	420	460	440	440
Kent	5,800	6,340	6,620	6250

++ Rounded to the nearest five

HP2 Housing Provision: Phasing, Assessment and Sequential Approach to Location

HP3 Contribution of Previously Developed Land and Previously Used Buildings to Housing Provision 2001-2016

HP4 Housing : Quality and density of development

HP5 Housing Development in the Countryside

Housing development outside the confines of the major/principal urban areas will not be permitted unless it is:

a site allocated for housing development in a Local Development Document; or otherwise consistent with Policy SS8; or

minor development within the confines of a Rural Service Centre or smaller rural settlement; or

a single dwelling for farm, forestry or other workers where a rural location at, or in the immediate vicinity of, a place of work is essential; or

the rebuilding, conversion or modest extension of a dwelling currently in residential use; or

the conversion of a commercial, institutional, industrial or other rural building to meet an identified local need for housing which does not conflict with a need to retain local employment opportunities and is in a location that has good accessibility to a range of services in a nearby settlement.

Housing development must not be detrimental to the character of the countryside and, as appropriate, the character of rural settlement.

HP6 Range and Mix of Housing Provision

HP7 Affordable Housing Provision

HP8 Affordable Housing on Rural Exception Sites

Local Development Documents should indicate those rural settlements at which the provision of affordable housing would be acceptable on sites that have not been allocated for housing but where such development would be justified to meet a proven local need.

HP9 Provision of Permanent and Transit Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation

CHAPTER 8 – PROMOTING QUALITY, CHOICE AND ACCESSIBILITY IN THE TRANSPORT NETWORK

TP1 Integrated Transport Strategy

TP2 Assessment Criteria for Transport Proposals

TP3 Transport and the Location of Development

TP4 Safeguarding of Programmed Strategic Transport Schemes

TP5 Support for Strategic Rail Schemes

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TP6 Major Transport Corridors

TP8 Future Strategic Transport Schemes

TP9 Supporting Public Transport

TP10 Supporting Park and Ride

TP11 Facilities for Pedestrians and Cyclists

TP12 Development and Access to the Primary/Secondary Road Network

TP13 Rail Freight and Handling Facilities

TP14 Safeguarding of Railway Land for Transport Purposes

TP15 Development Traffic and Heavy Goods Vehicles

Development which generates significant increases in traffic, especially heavy goods vehicles, will not be permitted if it is not well related to the primary and secondary road network, or if it would result in a significant increased risk of crashes or traffic delays unless appropriate measures to mitigate the effect of the development have been secured.

Kent County Council and Medway Council will:

identify and signpost lorry routes so as to direct heavy goods vehicles away from rural and residential areas;
work with others to achieve distribution of goods by sustainable means in the urban areas in Kent.

TP16 Local Transport Strategies

TP17 Traffic and Management of Minor Roads

Through traffic, particularly goods vehicles, will be discouraged from travelling on minor roads by the use of traffic management measures, regulatory measures, the control of development and freight quality partnerships.

Minor roads will not be widened or realigned unless overriding safety considerations require it and no alternative method to resolve the safety problems is deemed practicable.

TP18 Roadside Services

TP19 Vehicle Parking Standards

TP26 Other Airports and Airfields

CHAPTER 9 MANAGING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES : CLIMATE CHANGE- ENERGY PRODUCTION- WATER RESOURCES AND FLOOD RISK

NR1 Development and the Prudent Use of Resources

Proposals for development should incorporate sustainable construction techniques and demonstrate that their design and layout contributes to:

the conservation and prudent use of energy, water and other natural resources, including provision for recycling facilities, water conservation and energy efficiency; and

a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through re-use, or the more efficient use, of resources.

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NR2 Energy Generation

NR3 Renewable and Sustainable Energy Production

Development necessary for the production of energy from renewable sources will be supported where there would be no overriding conflict with environmental interests and Local Development Documents will include criteria for their location.

Provision of renewable and sustainable energy production as an integral component of new development and in small-scale and community projects will be supported. Local Development Documents will include renewable energy production targets in support of sub regional targets for individual energy sources, and will identify sites for renewable and sustainable energy facilities where viable proposals have been put forward.

NR4 Combined Heat and Power Generation

NR5 Pollution Impacts

The quality of Kent’s environment will be conserved and enhanced. This will include the visual, ecological, geological, historic and water environments, air quality, noise and levels of tranquillity and light intrusion.

Development should be planned and designed to avoid, or adequately mitigate, pollution impacts. Proposals likely to have adverse implications for pollution should be the subject of a pollution impact assessment.

In assessing proposals local authorities will take into account:

impact on prevailing background pollution levels; and

the cumulative impacts of proposals on pollution levels; and

the ability to mitigate adverse pollution impacts; and

the extent and potential extremes of any impacts on air quality, water resources, biodiversity and human health.

Development which would result in, or significantly contribute to, unacceptable levels of pollution, will not be permitted.

NR6 Development Sensitive to Pollution

Development which would be sensitive to adverse levels of noise, air, light and other pollution, will not be supported where such conditions exist, or are in prospect, and where mitigation measures would not afford satisfactory protection.

NR7 Air Quality Management Areas

NR8 Water Quality

Development will not be permitted where it would give rise to an unacceptable impact on the quality or yield of Kent's watercourses, coastal waters and/or ground water resources.

NR9 Water Supply and Wastewater treatment

The development of new or expansion of water supply or wastewater facilities will be required and supported where:

there is a demonstrable need to serve existing development and/or development proposed in accordance with the development plan; and
this represents the best environmental option; and
land use and environmental impacts are minimised through appropriate mitigation.

Land required for expanded or new facilities for water resource management or wastewater treatment will be identified and safeguarded in Local Development Documents. This will include provision for the enlargement of Bewl reservoir and additional wastewater treatment facilities in the Ashford area.

NR10 Development and Flood Risk

NR11 Flood Protection

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CHAPTER 10 MANAGING OUR WASTE AND MINERAL RESOURCES

WM1 Integrated Waste Management

WM2 Assessment Criteria for Waste Proposals

WM3 Securing Waste Reduction

WM4 Planning for Waste Management Capacity

WM5 Waste Disposal to Land

WM6 Assessment of Strategic Waste Management Facilities

WM7 Construction Related Spoil

MN1 Sources of Mineral Supply

MN2 Use of Secondary/Recycled Materials

MN3 Assessment Criteria for Minerals Proposals

MN4 Provision and safeguarding of Marine Wharves and Rail Depots

MN5 Provision for Construction Aggregates

MN6 Limestone Extraction in East Kent

MN7 Silica Sand

MN8 Building Stone

MN9 Brickearth

MN10 Chalk and Clay

MN11 Oil, Gas and Coalbed Methane

MN12 Safeguarding of Strategically Important Minerals

CHAPTER 11 IMPLEMENTING THE STRUCTURE PLAN AND MONITORING ITS EFFECTIVENESS

IM1 Meeting the costs of community and other infrastructure needs generated by new development

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