About the Regulation 19 consultation
This consultation is under Regulation 19. It’s a planning term from the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulation 2012 that refers to a stage in the Local Plan making process.
The Regulation 19 consultation is the last chance to make comments on the draft Local Plan. We previously held 2 public consultations in 2023 and 2024 under Regulation 18. This is where you could comment on the different options for development and the proposed policies.
Our draft Local Plan has considered previous consultation feedback and evidence produced to support the creation of a new plan.
During this consultation we’re required to ask specific questions that give you an opportunity to comment on:
- How the plan was prepared
- If the aims are achievable
- If the draft Local Plan is based on a robust evidence base.
We’re asking for views on if the Regulation 19 draft Local Plan is legally compliant and meets the test of ‘soundness’ set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
The Local Plan has been prepared following legal and procedural requirements. The plan:
- has been prepared in line with the latest Local Development Scheme
- has been subject to consultation in line with our Statement of Community Involvement
- is compliant with all relevant laws including the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (PCPA) 2004 and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.
We have worked collaboratively with neighbouring authorities and prescribed bodies on strategic and cross boundary matters. This is known as ‘Duty to Co-operate’.
How we’ll use your feedback from this consultation
We will not be making changes to the draft Local Plan at this stage, following the legal process. Comments received will be submitted with the draft Local Plan to the Planning Inspectorate for examination and consideration.
We plan to submit our draft Local Plan and comments before the end of 2025.
For more information about the plan making process, legal compliance and tests of soundness, view:
- National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
- Government Local Plan Guidance
- Government Plan-making guidance.
Getting the Local Plan approved
Local Plans are considered to be sound if:
- it has a clear strategy at a minimum that meets our objectively assessed needs (such as our housing target) for Medway
- it's informed by agreements with other local authorities so that unmet needs from neighbouring areas are accommodated where possible
- it's consistent with achieving sustainable development
- we’re able to deliver on the preferred development option and policies over the plan period
- it’s based on effective joint working on cross boundary strategic matters that have been dealt with rather than delayed as evidenced by the statement of common ground
- our plan is consistent with national policy and enables the delivery of sustainable development across Medway, following policies outlined in the plan and if relevant, other statements of national planning policy.