Planning guidance

• Learn more about the archaeology SPD

Our Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was adopted on 24 June 2026.

The SPD has been developed to provide help and advice on how affordable housing should be delivered through the planning system. It aims to provide guidance on the implementation of Local Plan Policy SP5 – Affordable Housing (opens in new tab) , and other policies around the delivery and design of affordable housing.

Read the SPD in full below

The document sets out a series of 12 guidance notes for applicants when considering the affordable housing requirements for their scheme.

A summary can be found in our FAQS, which also contain general information about affordable housing.

FAQs

Further documents

Following the adoption of the 2026 SPD, a number of previous guidance documents were revoked. Please see the revocation notice below:

Housing needs information

When considering the types and tenures of affordable housing required across the district, please refer to the following information:

• Local Plan – Housing Evidence (opens in new tab)
• Local Plan Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA 2017), modelling of first homes (opens in new tab)

The housing department also undertook a housing needs survey in 2023.

More information is available below:

• What is affordable housing?

For all new residential development located within 9km of the Thanet Coast and Sandwich Bay Special Protection Area (SPA), we collect financial contributions towards monitoring and mitigation measures outlined in the SPA Strategic Access Management and Monitoring Strategy (SAMMS).

In accordance with Policy NE4 of the adopted Local Plan, the strategy aims to mitigate the potential in-combination impacts of new housing development and resulting recreation pressure on the SPA. For more information, please see the link below.

• Thanet Coast and Sandwich bay SPA Strategic Access Management and Monitoring Strategy

The Heritage Strategy was reviewed and updated in September 2020 to take note of changes and updates that have occurred since its adoption in 2013, to ensure that it is consistent with guidance from central government and that it remains robust and fit for purpose.

• Read the Heritage Strategy

We have produced conservation area character appraisals for a number of areas in the district to provide a basis for developing initiatives that preserve and enhance the character and appearance of that area.

• Read our conservation area character appraisals

The Kent Downs National Landscape is designated by Natural England. These areas are afforded the highest level of protection under the Countryside Rights of Way Act.

The Kent Downs National Landscape Management Plan 2021-2026 has been adopted by the council and can be found below.

• Management Plan - Kent Downs (opens in new tab)

The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out:

• how we will involve the community in plan-making and when considering planning applications
• our publicity and consultation procedures
• what we expect applicants to do before they submit a planning application

It was adopted on 15 October 2025.

A public consultation was held from the 16 July until the 26 August 2025. All public comments received on the draft SCI can be viewed here:

• Kent Design Guide (opens in new tab)
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) (opens in new tab)