Hoo Development Framework

Medway Council is preparing a new Local Plan covering the period from 2012 to 2035. Medway is one of the largest urban areas in the south-east. It includes an urban conurbation of c 250,000 people living in five towns largely to the south of the river Medway and its estuary, and the remaining 10% of its population in an extensive rural hinterland to the north and south-west. The area is projected to grow by c 50,000 people over the plan period. The Local Plan seeks to meet significant development needs, including an objectively assessed need for c 30,000 new homes, or over 37,000 dwellings using the government's proposed Standard Method for calculating Local Housing Need. In addition the plan must make provision for land for employment and retail, supported by a range of infrastructure improvements, whilst conserving the area's natural and historic environment.