Approved neighbourhood plans sit alongside the Local Plan to help make decisions on planning applications.
They give communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area. Plans must be led by parish or town councils or neighbourhood forums, with the involvement of local stakeholder groups.
If you're a parish council or community group thinking about developing a neighbourhood plan, get advice from our planning team or call them on 01227 862 178.
Find out more about neighbourhood planning
Current neighbourhood plans
Bridge neighbourhood plan
Bridge Parish Council are preparing a new neighbourhood plan, which is currently being examined by an independent examiner. You can see the examination documents that are available.
We will post any further updates on the neighbourhood plan here.
Their original neighbourhood plan area was confirmed by us on 17 April 2019, under Part 2 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012. You may want to see the committee report on the designation of that Bridge plan.
Progress on the plan
The plan has a designated area. The draft plan and supporting documents have been out for consultation (summer 2023) and will be submitted to the Examiner who will publish a report.
We'll then decide on the next steps. If at this point we think the plan can go ahead, we'll publish that decision here.
Find out more about the Bridge neighbourhood plan
Chartham neighbourhood plan
Chartham Parish Council is in the process of preparing a neighbourhood plan.
The neighbourhood plan area was confirmed by us on 4 December 2019, under Part 2 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012. You may want to see the committee report on the designation of the Chartham plan.
Progress on the plan
The plan has a designated area. It has not yet gone through regulations consultation or the examination and referendum processes.
Find out more about the Chartham neighbourhood plan
Fordwich neighbourhood plan
Fordwich Parish Council is in the process of preparing a neighbourhood plan.
The neighbourhood plan was confirmed by us on 4 March 2021, under Part 2 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.
Progress on the plan
The plan has a designated area. It has not yet gone through regulations consultation or the examination and referendum processes.
You can download the neighbourhood plan letter:
Hoath neighbourhood plan
Hoath Parish Council is in the process of preparing a neighbourhood plan.
The neighbourhood plan area was confirmed by us on 4 January 2023, under Part 2 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.
Progress on the plan
The plan has a designated area. It has not yet gone through regulations consultation or the examination and referendum processes.
You can download the neighbourhood plan letter:
Thanington neighbourhood plan
Thanington Parish Council is in the process of preparing a neighbourhood plan.
The neighbourhood plan area was confirmed by us on 5 October 2020, under Part 2 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012. You may want to see the committee report on the designation of the Thanington plan.
Progress on the plan
The plan has a designated area. It has not yet gone through regulations consultation or the examination and referendum processes.
Upper Hardres neighbourhood plan
Upper Hardres Parish Council has decided to stop preparing a neighbourhood plan.
In the Upper Hardres Parish Council minutes of Tuesday 15 November 2022 they say this is because “a Neighbourhood Plan must include sites for development and local resistance to this led to reduced support”.
The neighbourhood plan area was confirmed by us on 24 March 2022, under Part 2 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.
Progress on the plan
The plan has a designated area. It has not yet gone through regulations consultation or the examination and referendum processes. Work on the plan has now stopped (November 2022).