Hoo St Werburgh and Chattenden Neighbourhood Plan to be considered for referendum
A neighbourhood plan designed by a parish council could be voted on by the public
Villagers could be set to go to the polls to approve a plan that will shape future development in their area.
Medway Council is set to consider putting the Hoo St Werburgh and Chattenden Neighbourhood Plan to a referendum.
A Neighbour Plan is a way of setting rules for developments, such as conditions around designs, the environment, and transportation in order to provide environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
The plan aims to manage growth so the various villages maintain their unique identities, create employment opportunities which meet the needs of the locals, and preserve and enhance historic and environmental assets of the area.
It includes rules which mean new developments will be in keeping with the existing housing by limiting sizes to predominantly two and three-storey buildings and must have traditional boundary treatments, including low flint or brick walls and hedges.
It also sets out developments must encourage social spaces and include public walkways which are suitable for all users.
Historic landmarks are also part of the considerations of the plan, such as the 12th century, Grade-I listed, Church of St Werburgh and the 11 Grade-II listed WWII pilboxes.
The plan does not set out where houses can or can’t be built, but can influence planning decisions and ensure developments fit within the character of the area and provide mitigations for local considerations.
However, the rules put in place under the plan will be included in the larger Medway-wide Local Plan which is currently under consultation.
The plan was designed by the Hoo St Werburgh Parish Council and was consulted on with the public in January, and has now been considered by an independent examiner who has made some amendments.
The independent review will be considered by Medway Council’s cabinet who will then decide whether to accept them and whether the plan should be voted on by the public.
Work began in December 2018 when the Hoo St Werburgh and Chattenden Neighbourhood Area was defined and a neighbourhood planning group was set up by the parish council.
They submitted their draft version of the plan for approval in December last year.
The area covers from Chattenden to as far west as beyond the Kingsnorth Power Station and almost 14,000 people live within its boundaries.
A decision on whether the plan should go to a referendum will be made at a Medway Council cabinet meeting on August 27.
If approved and the plan is passed to a vote it will be in place and impact upon all planning applications until 2040.