The Arches (Chatham) Neighbourhood Plan referendum took place on 2 May 2024.
Referendum information
Arches (Chatham) Neighbourhood Forum has prepared a draft neighbourhood plan to manage future development in its area.
The plan covers the entire area of Arches Chatham. It sets out local community aspirations over the plan period 2022 to 2040 with
Following publication of the draft plan at Regulation 16 in Spring 2023, the plan progressed to independent examination. Nigel McGurk was appointed to carry out the examination on the neighbourhood plan.
The examiner issued a clarification note to the Arches (Chatham) Neighbourhood Forum, and asked the forum to reply in writing to his questions. He issued his report, including recommendations for modifications.
On 19 December 2023, cabinet considered the independent examiner's report. They decided that the neighbourhood plan should be modified in accordance with the examiner's report and that it should proceed to referendum on Thursday 2 May 2024.
A neighbourhood planning referendum will therefore be held on Thursday 2 May 2024. This is the same date that the elections for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent are being held.
View the notice of referendum.
Below is a timetable of key statutory dates:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Published Information Statement and documents | Thursday 21 March 2024 |
| Notice of Referendum published | Tuesday 26 March 2024 |
| Last day for applications to register to vote in the referendum (midnight) | Tuesday 16 April 2024 |
| Last day for new applications to vote by post or change or cancel an existing postal vote (by 5pm) | Wednesday 17 April 2024 |
| Last day for new applications to vote by proxy (by 5pm) | Wednesday 24 April 2024 |
| Last day for applications for Voter Authority Certificate (voter ID) | Wednesday 24 April 2024 |
| Publish Notice of Poll and location of polling stations | Wednesday 24 April 2024 |
| Polling day (7am to 10pm) | Thursday 2 May 2024 |
| Verification and count of ballot papers | Thursday 2 May 2024 |
Representations on the draft neighbourhood plan made at regulation 16
- Avison Young
- Historic England
- Kent County Council (KCC)
- Tetlow King Planning
- Savills
- responses submitted through OpusConsult
- Medway Council comments.
Referendum documents
- an information statement
- referendum version of the Arches (Chatham) Neighbourhood Plan
- independent examiner’s report on the Arches (Chatham) Neighbourhood Plan
- copies of the representations submitted to the independent examiner following publication of the Plan
- A Decision Statement from the Local Planning Authority which confirms the draft Neighbourhood Plan meets the basic conditions and other legislative requirements. It also confirms that the neighbourhood plan can proceed to referendum
- A statement that sets out general information in respect of town and country planning (which includes neighbourhood planning.)
For more details on the development of the Arches (Chatham) Neighbourhood Plan, visit the Arches (Chatham) Neighbourhood Forum website.
Referendum results
The referendum asked the question:
Do you want Medway Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for
More than 50% of voters voted in favour of the plan and the neighbourhood plan will now be made part of the statutory
The Arches (Chatham) Neighbourhood Plan was passed:
- 727 for
- 101 against.
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