Medway Council has claimed that its key housing site at Lodge Hill on the Hoo Peninsula where developer Land Securities wants to build a major new neighbourhood remains practicable and feasible thanks to a possible biodiversity offsetting scheme.
Natural England has just confirmed that part of the site has been designated as a Special Site of Scientific Interest because of its nightingale population, special grassland and woodland.
A Medway Council spokesman said: ‘A great deal of work has gone into establishing that this site is a sustainable location for a new development of up to 5,000 homes.
‘We will now work with the developer, Land Securities, as they need to demonstrate to ourselves and to Natural England that suitable land can be provided elsewhere to mitigate the effect of this development on wildlife.
‘We understand there are sites already being looked at in Essex, which are owned by the Government, and it is our understanding that these may be acceptable. ‘
In a statement Natural England said: ‘In order to contribute to sustainable development, we will consider carefully any proposals for a habitat creation scheme to offset the impacts on the special wildlife of the site, should development proceed. ‘
Six months ago the planning inspector examining the council’s core strategy said the blueprint was flawed because of doubts the council could demonstrate it could meet its housing needs without the Lodge Hill project.
The council spokesman added: ‘we have to report back to the Planning Inspectorate by 29 November on the way forward, but we believe – at this stage – we have adequate land for housing for the foreseeable future.’
Read the Natural England news release at: LINK
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