Issue details

To agree changes to the current MWDS

Background

Under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, (as amended), the County Council must prepare a Mineral and Waste Development Scheme (MWDS). This is a project plan that includes a timetable for preparing local plan documents for minerals and waste management development over the next three years. The MWDS assists the programming of Public Examinations undertaken by an independent Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State and allows the public to know when and at what stage they can be involved. The last revision to the MWDS was published in July 2014.

A revision is now required to show an updated timetable for preparing the Kent Minerals and Waste Sites Plans which will allocate land for the future development of waste management and minerals supply facilities.

The update reflects the Council’s adoption of the Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2013-2030 in July 2016. The previous MWDS has anticipated adoption by April/May 2015 but the independent examination of the Plan took longer than expected, largely due to the need for two rounds of consultation on modifications recommended by the examination inspector.

In addition, during the examination of the Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2013-2030, the Inspector recommended that the Council publish separate guidance on its approach to the safeguarding of minerals resources and supply facilities as well as to waste management facilities. It is therefore necessary for the Council to prepare a separate guidance document, known formally as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), to cover these matters.

The revised MWDS sets out the timetable for the preparation of the SPD and notes the preparation of the updated Statement of Community Involvement.

How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)

The MWDS sets out the timescale for the Mineral and Waste Sites Plans and the Safeguarding SPD. These will reflect the policies in the Kent MWLP, which itself supports and aids delivery of a number of corporate and partnership strategies. In particular, they will underpin corporate policies contained within the Strategic Statement ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes – Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement 2012-2020’ by supporting and facilitating new growth in the Kent economy, and the creation of a high quality built environment.

In addition, the Sites Plans have a role to play in the delivery of the Kent Environment Strategy, the Joint Municipal Waste Strategy and the Kent and Medway Growth and Infrastructure Framework.

Financial Implications

The costs of preparing the Kent MWDS are included in the Environment, Planning and Enforcement Division’s budget. There is an expectation by Government (DCLG) that all planning authorities have an up to date local plan in place. Without an adopted plan, there is a risk that DCLG will step in as the plan making authority, reducing local accountability.

Legal Implications

The County Council has a legal obligation under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) to prepare a Minerals and Waste Development Scheme setting out how planning documents concerning minerals and waste developments will be prepared. The revised Kent MWDS has been prepared to ensure compliance with this legislation

Equalities implications  

Equalities Impact Screening of each of the documents set out in the Minerals and Waste Development Scheme will be undertaken and Equalities Impact Assessments of the documents screened as requiring assessment will be carried out.