Proposed Submission: Gravesham Local Plan Core Strategy

4.2.27 In the rural area, the extent of the Green Belt, as defined on thePolicies Map, will be maintained and protected from inappropriatedevelopment. Small scale development will be allowed within those ruralsettlements which are inset from the Green Belt and defined on thePolicies Map. Development which supports the maintenance anddiversification of the rural economy will be supported provided it iscompatible with national policies for protecting the Green Belt.*Figures exclude small site windfalls for dwellings which are assumed tototal 330 new dwellings in years 2018-20284.3 Opportunity Areas in GraveshamIntroduction4.3.1 Four opportunity areas in the urban area are identified in this CoreStrategy. The identification of these gives the Core Strategy resilience andflexibility whilst showing where most change within the Borough will occurover the plan period. Within the opportunity areas are a number of key siteswhich are strategic site allocations. The key sites have the capacity to delivernew housing, employment and retail development to meet most of theBorough's needs over the plan period. Both the opportunity areas and the keysites are shown on the Policies Map. The opportunity areas are also shownon the Key Diagram. The key sites are accompanied by schematic planswhich provide an indication of the key principles to be applied to each site inaccordance with the policy. These schematic plans are located after theopportunity area policies.4.3.2 The concept of opportunity areas has been developed by the Council toestablish a broad framework within which development can take place and anoverall vision can be realised. The opportunity areas together form asignificant regeneration area in the Thames Gateway, extending along thewhole of the urban riverside and its hinterland and occupying almost a third ofthe built up area of Gravesham.53