Seven weeks of consultation begins tomorrow for people to help shape development in the borough for the next 16 years.

Gravesham council is embarking on consultation on its Local Plan Core Strategy, the document which shapes how the borough should develop between now and 2036.

It shows the amount of development needed and where this should take place. It also acts as a guide for planners when making decisions on planning applications on a day-to-day basis.

The current Local Plan was adopted in September 2014 and the government requires local councils to review it every five years.

Cllr Brian Sangha, Gravesham's cabinet member for strategic environment, said: “Our most recent review of our Local Plan Core Strategy has identified that while the bulk of it is still relevant, particular elements of a number of policies, such as those that relate to the amount of development needed in the borough, have become out of date.

“Because of this, we are required by government to update the strategy as soon as possible. This is not an option, it is a legal requirement.”

The council has considered representations made during an initial public consultation in December 2018 and gathered additional information to determine the amount of development needed in the borough to 2036 and where it could take place.

From tomorrow, it's another chance for residents, businesses and other interested parties to have their say.

Cllr Sangha added: “Every local authority is set targets by government for the numbers of new homes it has to build in a set period of time, and the Local Plan has to show that we have identified sufficient suitable sites to meet our target.

“We cannot hide away from this. If we fail to meet the targets set there are penalties we could face, including having those targets increased and ultimately having planning decisions taken away from us and given to government inspectors to make.

“I don’t want our residents to lose their ability to have their views heard and taken into account when planning decisions are being made.

“The potential development sites identified in the consultation are not set in stone and may change. The identification of a potential site at this stage does not mean that development will happen there in the immediate future – or even at all.”

Current government guidance is that local plan reviews should not be delayed as a result of Covid19 and that public consultation should take place online instead.

“It is important that as many people as possible take part in this consultation so their views can be carefully considered as we take our review forward,” said Cllr Sangha. “Now is the time to make sure your voice is heard."

The consultation opens at 9am this Friday and ends on Thursday, December 10. Have your say at https://localplan.gravesham.gov.uk

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend