33 homes at Land To The Rear Of Berengrave Lane, Rainham

“2-bed units – Total of 11 3-bed units – Total of 13 4-bed units – Total of 9”

“The proposed vehicular access would utilise the existing access road through the earlier two phases of development. Foot path links are also provided through the earlier phases connecting into the existing footpaths along Berengrave Lane, with improvements made to the pedestrian route towards the train station and town centre.”

“The planning balance of this case must be carefully considered. It is not an allocated housing site and is in the countryside given protection by Policy BNE 25 and 34 of the Local Plan. However, the Council cannot demonstrate a 5 year housing land supply and therefore paragraph 8 of the NPPF is enacted setting out a presumption in favour of sustainable development.”

“The proposal will deliver a much needed mix of market and policy compliant mix of affordable housing dwellings types required to meet the needs of a mixed community in a quality an attractive environment and will assist in delivering and enhance some infrastructure in the locality.”

“The application has been advertised on site, in the press and by individual neighbour notification to the owners and occupiers of neighbouring properties, KCC Biodiversity, NHS Medway, UK Power Networks, Southern Gas Networks, Southern Water Services, The Environment Agency, Natural England, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Natural England, Kent Wildlife Trust and Kent Police have also been consulted.”

“Kent Police have written to advise of their concerns with regard to security and have set out some issues that need to be addressed/considered; they have also suggested the developer contacts them to ensure compliance with Secure by Design (SBD). (The applicant is aware of this and will be discussing direct with Kent Police).”

“Loss of green spaces Impact on existing infrastructure e.g. Doctors, schools and hospital Impact on existing road infrastructure and road safety Noise in relation to construction Poor condition of surrounding footpaths Lack of public transport Concerns in relation to drainage, surface water and flooding Impacts on archaeology Concerns in relation to the proposed pumping station Impacts on the character of lower Rainham Loss of best and most versatile agricultural land…”

“The Chief Planning Officer explained the purchase of biodiversity units through a habitat bank. There were currently no approved habitat banks set up within Medway, the applicant had agreed to purchase these units in the nearest site which was currently in Harrietsham. However, if Medway had habitat banks set up by the time the development commenced, those units could be purchased within Medway. Members requested further training on biodiversity and habitat banks.”

“The Senior Planner and Chief Planning Officer clarified that an informative would be added to ensure compliance with Kent Police advice regarding the Secure by Design. It was also discussed that Southern Water require a connection charge for all new properties connecting to mains drainage.”

“B. Conditions 1 to 24 as set out in the report for the reasons stated in the report, with an amendment to condition 21 and a new condition and informative added:”

“The development herein approved shall incorporate the measures as set out in the Energy and Sustainability Statement 2114L-06-01-03 Issue-3 (received 25 February 2025). Prior to occupation a verification report prepared by a suitably qualified professional shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority confirming that all the approved measures have been implemented.”