Medway Council reaction to withdrawal of Lodge Hill planning application

Statement on behalf of Cllr Alan Jarrett, Leader of Medway Council:

“I am appalled this important scheme is going back to the drawing board, further delaying a project which would create jobs and much needed homes for the area. A succession of agencies have let the people of Medway down by constantly delaying this important site which has huge potential.

“A great deal of work has gone into establishing that the site is a sustainable location for a new development, and owners and developers need to continue to push forward with providing high quality, energy efficient homes for our existing residents, their families in the years to come and those looking to relocate here – and not forgetting the extensive employment opportunities the site could offer residents.

“While I am hugely disappointed that the current scheme for Lodge Hill has been withdrawn, I now eagerly await the new plans expected to be put forward by the applicants in the coming months. It’s time for agencies to get off the fence and bring this site forward for development.

“By 2035 we must build 30,000 new homes to keep up with our expanding population and therefore each and every suitable development site is key.

“Medway’s extensive 20-year regeneration plan is well and truly underway and this important site is part of our ambitious vision of becoming a leading waterfront university city of 330,000 people. Over the next ten years residents, visitors, businesses and those from further afield, will absolutely recognise Medway as an increasingly desirable place to live, work, learn and visit

Lodge Hill

Lodge Hill planning application

Land Securities submitted an outline planning application for the development of Lodge Hill in 2011, under reference number MC/11/2516. The details of the application, including comments from statutory bodies and interested parties, can be viewed via Planning Online.

The Council’s planning committee considered the application at a special meeting on 4 September 2014 and resolved to approve it, subject to a referral to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.  He decided to call in the application, which will be determined during an inquiry in 2018.

Withdrawn Core Strategy Development Allocation

The council proposed land at Lodge Hill, Chattenden as a location for development in the Submission Draft Core Strategy. Policy CS33 of the emerging Medway Local Development Framework Core Strategy made a strategic allocation of land at Lodge Hill for a new settlement, and set out key principles to be followed in its development.

This strategic development allocation was considered as part of the Examination of the draft Core Strategy. Hearing sessions were held in June 2012, and the Examination was then suspended to allow further work to be carried out, including into the impact of development at Lodge Hill on its ecological interest. Further Hearing Sessions looking specifically at the Lodge Hill issue were held in May 2013.

On 19 November 2013 Natural England confirmed the SSSI notification and on 25 November 2013 the Council withdrew the Core Strategy.

Details of the key correspondence and documents relating to this matter can be found on the Lodge Hill information page.

Lodge Hill Development Brief

The council wrote a Development Brief for the Lodge Hill site. This was approved by Medway Council’s Cabinet in December 2011.

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