The UK’s planning system presently operates at three levels: regional, county and local and is currently undergoing a process of reform which is changing the way plans are made.

Kent Science Park lies within the national priority growth zone of Thames Gateway.

The South East Plan, submitted to the Government in March 2006, indicates that an estimated 58,020 new jobs need to be provided in the Kent Thames Gateway subregion during the period 2006-2026.

The Kent and Medway Structure Plan 2006 contains county level policy and proposals for the period 2001-2021. Policy EP5 of the Structure Plan recognises KSP as a technology and knowledge cluster and provides a full strategic commitment to expansion of Kent Science Park for technology and knowledge activities.

The Swale Borough Local Plan First Review was adopted in February 2008 and provides the most detailed policies for the control of development and the consideration of proposals at KSP. Strategic Policy TG1 recognises Kent Science Park as a focus for technology-based business and in particular life sciences.

In discussing new employment sites, Policy B26 of the Local Plan distinguishes Kent Science Park as a site of regional significance and states that the Council strongly supports the consolidation and measured expansion of it as an innovation hub and science based cluster.

The specific criteria that should be met, include appropriateness of the location; scale and design of buildings; compatibility with a ‘Science Park’ definition and transport assessment.

Kent Science Park will be submitting a series of planning applications to Swale Borough Council for its consideration.