Local Plans: district by district

Easy-to-follow details and chart cover the county and are available to everyone

The following list gives the latest situation on Local Plans throughout Kent. In addition, many local authorities have an old-style Local Plan that has ‘saved’ policies still relevant when considering planning applications. These will be gradually replaced as new Plans are adopted. Details of currently ‘saved’ policies are provided on local authority websites.

Ashford: A revised timetable for a review of the adopted Local Plan was published in March 2023. The first round of public consultation is programmed for spring 2024.

Canterbury: A revised timetable for Local Plan production was adopted in March 2024. Regulation 18 consultation is taking place now.

Dartford: The Local Plan examination closed in May. The planning inspector found the plan sound, subject to main modifications.

Dover: Examination of the Local Plan closed in December 2023. The inspector’s report is now awaited.

Folkestone & Hythe: Places and Polices Local Plan was adopted in September 2020. The Core Strategy Review was adopted in March 2022.

Gravesham: The next round of consultation is awaiting resolution of issues surrounding traffic modelling, in connection with the proposed Lower Thames Crossing.

Maidstone: Examination hearings closed in June. Additional information has been submitted (and consulted upon). The inspector’s final report is awaited.

Medway: A second round of Regulation 18 consultation took place at the end of last year. A further round of public consultation is expected this summer.

Sevenoaks: Regulation 18 consultation took place at the end of last year. A further round of Regulation 18 consultation is expected to take place this autumn.

Swale: The council has made a renewed resolution to postpone further work on its Local Plan (November 2023).

Thanet: A revised Local Development Scheme was published in June 2022. Regulation 18 consultation scheduled for the end of last year did not take place as planned.

Tonbridge and Malling: A new Local Development Scheme was published in June 2023. Regulation 18 is scheduled to take place in spring 2024.

Tunbridge Wells: The council has just completed a period of public consultation outlining the way it intends to respond to issues raised by the inspector, including deletion of plans for a new garden settlement at Tudeley within the Green Belt.

• To see the Local Plans chart, click here