Planning policy for future development in the Folkestone and Hythe district for the next 15 years has been given the seal of approval by government inspectors.
They found that the Folkestone & Hythe District Core Strategy Review (CSR) is "sound", paving the way for cabinet (on 23 March) to recommend it is adopted by full council at its meeting on 30 March.
The CSR sets out the amount, type and location of development that is required to meet the future needs of the district to 2037. The CSR has been through an extensive process of consultation over several years, as well as a public examination before two independent planning inspectors, which involved 11 days of public hearings.
Development at strategic sites is covered in the CSR, including Otterpool Park, and the continuing development of Folkestone seafront, Shorncliffe Garrison, Sellindge and New Romney. The CSR also contains policies relating to infrastructure, green infrastructure, nature enhancements, water management and town centres.
The inspectors identified a small number of modifications to the CSR and the full report can be found here.
F&HDC Leader Cllr David Monk said: "I have every confidence the CSR will be adopted on 30 March and we will then be able to use the policies to guide development.
"I am particularly pleased that the inspectors found the four policies relating to Otterpool Park to be comprehensive and wide ranging, and that they recognised the council's very strong commitment to bringing forward the new garden town. Overall, the inspectors' findings that the CSR is sound brings the examination to a very successful conclusion."
Date published: 14 March 2022