The extension will be discussed at the upcoming full council meeting on Wednesday, 21st February 2021.
If approved, the additional 38 days will increase the total consultation period to almost 12 weeks.
Cllr Mike Baldock, deputy leader and cabinet member for planning, said:
“We are proud of the policies and innovative approaches proposed in the local plan review in response to the imposed Government housing targets.
“We have never before had to conduct a review of a local plan during a pandemic. Without the ability to hold face-to-face meetings and make draft documentation available in public places, running an effective and inclusive consultation is more difficult.
“We’re working to overcome these challenges the best way we can by holding virtual meetings, making the plan available on our website and mailing out hard copies to those who need them
“As a listening council, we want to respond positively to public requests for more time, and we are asking councillors to extend the consultation period to the 30th of April.
“We know it’s important for local people to have enough time to review the draft plan and put forward their representations, so we’ll be asking councillors to approve the extension to the consultation period at next week’s full council meeting.”
The consultation started on Monday, 8th February and the local plan review can be viewed on the council’s website here
With libraries and council offices closed due to the pandemic, it won’t be possible to provide physical copies of the plans at these locations. Hard copies, or extracts from documents, may be made available on request from: LPcomments@swale.gov.uk or by calling: 01795 417 014.
The full report can be viewed here
Swale Borough Council
