Local Planning Guidance

Adopted Sittingbourne Town Centre Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

Following a public consultation in Spring 2022, the Sittingbourne Town Centre SPD has now been adopted. This forms part of the Development Plan and will shape how the council considers new development proposals, outlining what developers and landowners need to include in planning applications.

Parking Standards SPD

The Parking Standards SPD seeks to establish an appropriate and effective response to parking issues relating to new development across the Borough. It includes appropriate local standards which take into account the type, use, design and location of the development, whilst at the same time having regard to the principles of sustainable development and transport with reference to local situations and experience. This SPD which is pursuant to Policy DM7 of the Bearing Fruits Local Plan Adopted 2017 was adopted by the Council on 3 June 2020 and is a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

You can download the Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document (PDF 7.36MB).

Air Quality Guidance (November 2019)

Technical Guidance for Swale Borough Council has been prepared in conjunction with the Kent and Medway Air Quality Air Quality Partnership and in response to updates in national planning policy, through the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Guidance documents

The following guidance documents have been prepared to assist all parties involved in the renewable energy development process. These document have not been through public consultation but have been approved by the Council and will guide decision makers when determining applications.

Renewable Energy

• The development of domestic and medium scale solar PV arrays up to 50kW and solar thermal
• The development of large scale (>50kW) solar arrays

Kent Downs AONB Management Plan

Part of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) falls within Swale Borough.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 requires local authorities whose area contains part of an AONB to jointly prepare a Management Plan.  This sets out the policy of the local authorities for the management and enhancement of the AONB over a five year period.  The current Kent Downs AONB Management Plan was adopted by the Council in 2014 and is used as a material consideration in determining planning applications.

The Kent Downs AONB Unit has also produced a number of publications which provide guidance on conserving and enhancing the landscape.

Local planning guidance

Throughout the Local Plan reference is made to Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD).

These publications set out, in more detail than is possible in the Local Plan, certain standards and approaches of which developers should normally take account.

The Government considers that both SPG and SPD can be taken into account when considering planning applications, and that weight accorded to them will be increased if they have been subject to public consultation. All the SPG and SPD agreed by the Council has been subject to public consultation.

We have published SPG on the following topics:

1. The Conversion of Buildings into Flats and Houses in Multiple Occupation
2. Listed Buildings - A Guide for Owners and Occupiers
3. The Conservation of Traditional Farm Buildings
4. The Design of Shop fronts, Signs and Advertisements
5. Designing an Extension - A Guide for Householders
6. Planting on New Developments - A Guide for Developers
7. The Erection of Stables and Keeping of Horses**
8. Conservation Areas
9. Lynsted Parish Design Statement
10. Abbott Laboratories Ltd - Development Brief

**Additional information is provided in Managing Land for Horses - a guide to good practice in the Kent Downs AONB

We have published SPD on the following topics:

• Swale Landscape Character and Biodiversity Appraisal SPD (2011) Part 1
• Swale Landscape Character and Biodiversity Appraisal SPD (2011) Part 2
• Queenborough and Rushenden Masterplan SPD (November 2010)
• Sittingbourne Town Centre and Milton Creek Masterplan SPD (September 2010)
• Developer Contributions SPD (November 2009)
• Area Action Plan 8 - Queenborough and Rushenden Development Framework and Statement of Community Involvement.

Ospringe design statement

This document was adopted on the 22 October 2006. A separate Statement of Adoption is available on request.

More information

For a copy of any of our Supplementary Planning Guidance documents or for further information, please contact us by email.