Hartlip Local Plan Regulation 19 Representation

Hartlip Parish Council submits Regulation 19 representation

Hartlip Parish Council has submitted its formal representation in response to Swale Borough Council’s Local Plan (Regulation 19) – Proposed Submission Draft consultation.

The representation sets out the Parish Council’s concerns about a number of matters affecting Hartlip, including the proposed loss of existing landscape protection at Hartlip Downs / Old House Farm, the protection of important views, rural approaches, heritage and the setting of the Kent Downs National Landscape, the effectiveness of Policy C5 relating to renewable energy development, and the proposed housing allocation at Digswell, Lower Hartlip Road (Policy HOA16c).

The submission also seeks stronger and more effective requirements for landscape and heritage assessment, cumulative impact assessment, protection of Public Rights of Way and rural gateways, and appropriate use of the recently adopted Hartlip Village Design Statement as locally specific evidence.

In relation to Digswell, the Parish Council has raised a separate soundness objection to Policy HOA16c and has requested that the allocation be deleted unless Swale can demonstrate how the concerns identified in the February 2025 appeal decision have been satisfactorily overcome.

Hartlip Parish Council has asked that its representation is considered in full as part of the Regulation 19 process and submitted to the appointed Planning Inspector as part of the Local Plan examination.

The full Hartlip Parish Council Regulation 19 representation is now available to read on the Council website.