About our policies

The Local Plan for Medway currently covers Development Plan policies from a number of plans, including the Medway Local Plan 2003.

National policy guidance is provided by the National Planning Policy Framework which provides the policy basis for the consideration of planning applications.

Role of planning policy

We have a legal duty to prepare plans that cover the Medway area to manage and regulate most forms of built development. The power to manage development comes from primary legislation (in the various Town and Country Planning Acts) and is given to the council by central government.

We grant planning permission to allow developments to occur. To ensure that decisions about granting permission is fair and open, we prepare publicly available plans containing policies and proposals to guide the shape and nature of development in the area.

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

National policy guidance is provided by the National Planning Policy Framework and sets out the Governments planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied. Along with the Local Plan Policies, these provide the policy basis for the consideration of planning applications.

Future Medway Local Plan

We're also working on a new Medway Local Plan which will replace the existing 2003 Local Plan.

Find out more about the new Medway Local Plan.

More information