Policy information sourced from the Medway Local Plan 2003

BNE25 Development in the Countryside

Development in the countryside will only be permitted if:

  1. it maintains, and wherever possible enhances, the character, amenity and functioning of the countryside, including the river environment of the Medway and Thames, it offers a realistic chance of access by a range of transport modes; and is either;
  2. on a site allocated for that use; or
  3. development essentially demanding a countryside location (such as agriculture, forestry, outdoor or informal recreation); or
  4. a re-use or adaptation of an existing building that is, and would continue to be, in keeping with its surroundings in accordance with Policy BNE27; or
  5. a re-use or redevelopment of the existing built-up area of a redundant institutional complex or other developed land in lawful use; or
  6. a rebuilding of, or modest extension or annex to, a dwelling; or
  7. a public or institutional use for which the countryside location is justified and which does not result in volumes of traffic that would damage rural amenity.

The countryside is defined as that land outside the urban and rural settlement boundaries defined on the proposals map.

For more information please see the Medway Local Plan 2003