Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2023-38

Update 7 December 2022

Public consultation on the draft Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2023-38 took place between October and December 2022. We are currently working through the representations received in response to this consultation to prepare an updated Local Plan which will set out the planning policy and strategy for determining planning applications for mineral and waste management development over the next 15 years. The comments received will inform the version of the Local Plan that the County Council wishes to submit to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination in summer 2024. Prior to this examination there will be a final opportunity to comment on the emerging Local Plan and it is anticipated that this Regulation 19 public consultation will invite representations on soundness in early 2024.


Original Text

We carried out a consultation on changes to the Local Plan arising from the review between December 2021 and February 2022. A consultation summary document has been prepared and can be found in the 'Documents' section. It shows how we have taken into account the comments we received.

It is now proposed that the updated Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan, plans for a 15-year period between 2023 and 2038. This is so we are consistent with national policy requirements.

We are inviting comments on our updated Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2023-38 which takes in to account the changes found necessary during the review process, the comments received in the previous consultation, and the need to plan for a 15-year period.

The current plan

The current Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2013-30 (KMWLP) was adopted by Kent County Council (KCC) in July 2016 and partially updated in 2020. A Minerals Sites Plan which allocates three areas of land suitable for development associated with the extraction of sand and gravel was also adopted in 2020.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and legislation states policies in Local Plans should be reviewed at least once every five years and updated as necessary.

A statutory five-year review of the Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan was completed in 2021. The review found that while much of the Local Plan is still relevant, some updates are needed to respond to changes in government policy and legislation since 2016 including the following:

  • updates to the NPPF in 2018, 2019 and 2021 and associated planning practice guidance
  • legislation and policy concerning the need to adapt to, and mitigate climate change and associated low carbon growth
  • new policy relating to the management of low-level radioactive waste
  • policy and legislation concerned with achieving a circular economy where more waste is prevented or reused
  • more ambitious targets concerning biodiversity net gain.

Updates were also proposed to ensure the Local Plan takes account of the current local context which includes the following:

Tell us your views

We welcome comments on the proposed updated Local Plan.

A revised draft of the Minerals and Waste Local Plan has been prepared. Changes have been tracked to show how the document has evolved. You can also view the proposed final version without the tracked changes, as well as a standalone document which shows the updated figures and maps. Two further background documents have been prepared on the Circular Economy and Biodiversity net-gain, which may assist you in preparing your response.

We also welcome your feedback on the further evidence to support the Local Plan changes. These relate to:

You can comment directly on to the draft Local Plan and the supporting documents using our document commenting software below.

Alternatively, upload your written submission using the form below or write to us at mwlp@kent.gov.uk or by post to Minerals and Waste Planning Policy, 1st Floor, Invicta House, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1XX.

In responding to the consultation, we are particularly interested in your responses to the following questions:

  1. Do you agree with the changes to the Vision? Are any other changes needed? If so, please explain.
  2. Do you agree with the changes to the Strategic Objectives? Are any other changes needed? If so, please explain.
  3. Do you agree with the changes to the Policies and supporting text? Are any other changes needed? If so, please explain.
  4. Do you have any comments on the Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report? If so, please explain.
  5. Do you have any comments on the approaches to the Habitat Regulations Assessment and/or Strategic Flood Risk Assessment? If so, please explain.
  6. Are there any other comments that you wish to draw to the Council’s attention including whether other updates to the Local Plan are needed?

Before you respond to this consultation, please read the full Minerals and Waste Local Plan privacy statement.

Update 7 December 2022

Public consultation on the draft Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2023-38 took place between October and December 2022. We are currently working through the representations received in response to this consultation to prepare an updated Local Plan which will set out the planning policy and strategy for determining planning applications for mineral and waste management development over the next 15 years. The comments received will inform the version of the Local Plan that the County Council wishes to submit to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination in summer 2024. Prior to this examination there will be a final opportunity to comment on the emerging Local Plan and it is anticipated that this Regulation 19 public consultation will invite representations on soundness in early 2024.


Original Text

We carried out a consultation on changes to the Local Plan arising from the review between December 2021 and February 2022. A consultation summary document has been prepared and can be found in the 'Documents' section. It shows how we have taken into account the comments we received.

It is now proposed that the updated Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan, plans for a 15-year period between 2023 and 2038. This is so we are consistent with national policy requirements.

We are inviting comments on our updated Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2023-38 which takes in to account the changes found necessary during the review process, the comments received in the previous consultation, and the need to plan for a 15-year period.

The current plan

The current Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2013-30 (KMWLP) was adopted by Kent County Council (KCC) in July 2016 and partially updated in 2020. A Minerals Sites Plan which allocates three areas of land suitable for development associated with the extraction of sand and gravel was also adopted in 2020.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and legislation states policies in Local Plans should be reviewed at least once every five years and updated as necessary.

A statutory five-year review of the Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan was completed in 2021. The review found that while much of the Local Plan is still relevant, some updates are needed to respond to changes in government policy and legislation since 2016 including the following:

  • updates to the NPPF in 2018, 2019 and 2021 and associated planning practice guidance
  • legislation and policy concerning the need to adapt to, and mitigate climate change and associated low carbon growth
  • new policy relating to the management of low-level radioactive waste
  • policy and legislation concerned with achieving a circular economy where more waste is prevented or reused
  • more ambitious targets concerning biodiversity net gain.

Updates were also proposed to ensure the Local Plan takes account of the current local context which includes the following:

Tell us your views

We welcome comments on the proposed updated Local Plan.

A revised draft of the Minerals and Waste Local Plan has been prepared. Changes have been tracked to show how the document has evolved. You can also view the proposed final version without the tracked changes, as well as a standalone document which shows the updated figures and maps. Two further background documents have been prepared on the Circular Economy and Biodiversity net-gain, which may assist you in preparing your response.

We also welcome your feedback on the further evidence to support the Local Plan changes. These relate to:

You can comment directly on to the draft Local Plan and the supporting documents using our document commenting software below.

Alternatively, upload your written submission using the form below or write to us at mwlp@kent.gov.uk or by post to Minerals and Waste Planning Policy, 1st Floor, Invicta House, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1XX.

In responding to the consultation, we are particularly interested in your responses to the following questions:

  1. Do you agree with the changes to the Vision? Are any other changes needed? If so, please explain.
  2. Do you agree with the changes to the Strategic Objectives? Are any other changes needed? If so, please explain.
  3. Do you agree with the changes to the Policies and supporting text? Are any other changes needed? If so, please explain.
  4. Do you have any comments on the Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report? If so, please explain.
  5. Do you have any comments on the approaches to the Habitat Regulations Assessment and/or Strategic Flood Risk Assessment? If so, please explain.
  6. Are there any other comments that you wish to draw to the Council’s attention including whether other updates to the Local Plan are needed?

Before you respond to this consultation, please read the full Minerals and Waste Local Plan privacy statement.

Read and comment on the Local Plan refresh documents here

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CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.