The Parish Council is not a decision making body for Planning purposes and does not decide whether an application is approved (usually with conditions) or rejected (with reasons). This will normally fall to Medway Council. If an application is refused, the applicant would normally have six months to decide whether to appeal against the refusal or not. An appeal is conducted by the Planning Inspectorate and may be decided by written representations (for and against the refusal) or in some circumstances a local inquiry when written representations can be added to by a personal appearance and, possibly a site meeting.

Medway’s decisions have to be made with regard to the Medway Local Plan (Local Development Framework) and regional and national policies and guidance.

The Parish Council is a statutory (legal) consultee on any planning maters that directly affect the Parish area or on the borders  This means that we are also consulted on some Kent County Council and Gravesham Borough Council planning issues that affect our border(and even occasionally developments that affect the River Thames in Essex)..

Parish Policies

We have to treat every application on its merits and should bear in mind local, regional and national guidance for them to be effective. Of course we do have the advantage of local knowledge and this can also help our representation. A copy of the plan drawings submitted, and any other submission documents by the applicant are usually sent to the Parish Council and can be made available to local residents, by appointment (contact clerk or Cllr. Chris Fribbins).

We would normally object to applications that :-

Build outside defined village boundaries (except for building conversions)
Significantly increase traffic volume
Increase parking on the street
Increase noise, dust, light, and other environmental factors
Developments that are out of keeping with the surrounding environment and street scene
We especially seek to protect and enhance the Cliffe Pools and surrounding areas and the existing local amenities..

 

THAMESIDE TERMINAL / BRETTS LANDSCAPING - See our submissions