Issue details

Endorsement of the Site Identification and Site Selection Methodology to assess the suitability of sites for allocation in the Kent Minerals and Waste Sites Plans and to support the ‘call for sites’ exercise that forms the initial part of the preparation of the Sites Plans work.

The County Council has a statutory responsibility to plan for future minerals supply and waste management within Kent as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework 2012 (NPPF) and the National Planning Policy for Waste 2014 (NPPW).      The Council discharges this responsibility via the preparation and adoption of the Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan and the supporting Minerals and Waste Site Plans. 

The Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2013 – 2030 (Kent MWLP) was adopted in July 2016 and outlines the spatial vision and strategic objectives as well as the mineral supply and waste capacity requirement for the Plan period. It also provides the framework and policy context for the Site Identification and Selection Methodology (the Methodology). With the exception of 2 strategic sites, the Kent MWLP does not allocate sites for development.  This is the purpose of the Minerals and Waste Sites Plans. The adopted Kent MWLP expects suitable sites to be allocated in the separate Kent Minerals and Waste Sites Plans.

The Sites Plan work is a key part of the plan-making process and results in sites being allocated for mineral supply or waste management purposes.  As planning application decisions are determined in accordance with the development plan (which includes the Sites Plans), the Plans have an important role to play in the management of future development.  

The Sites Plan process includes a ‘call for sites’ from landowners and operators who have sites potentially capable of meeting the Kent MWLP Strategy requirements, along with proactive work to identify further suitable sites.  Submitted and identified sites are then considered against an assessment process in order to identify potential site allocations for public consultation and, subsequently, formal examination by an independent planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State.

A detailed methodology for site identification and assessment and the information to be sought from landowners and operators has been prepared based upon the Kent MWLP strategy, Government guidance and good practice.   This is supported by a pro-forma setting out the information required from landowners and operators to enable assessments to be made. 

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

The Site Identification and Selection Methodology reflects the polices in the Kent MWLP which itself supports the County Council’s corporate policies contained within the Council’s Strategic Statement ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes – Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement 2015-2020’. The Methodology will support and facilitate new growth in the Kent economy and support the creation of a high quality built environment, with accessible local services that reflect the community’s needs and support its health, social and cultural well-being.  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 Methodology and ‘call for sites’ assessment 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 is required by national planning policy to ensure that local plans safeguard mineral resources and minerals and waste development.  The delivery of a SPD will play an important role in ensuring that development in Kent has proper regard to safeguarding matters and that local planning authorities can deliver their obligation pursuant to the National Planning Policy Framework (para. 143).

Equalities implications      

The County Council has a legal obligation under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) to prepare and adopt a development plan for mineral and waste planning matters.  The Minerals and Waste Sites Plans and the supporting Methodology form a key part of this obligation.