Medway Developer Contributions and Obligations Guide
9 Cultural Services
9.1 Cultural and Community Infrastructure
9.1.1 Cultural and community infrastructure are central to Medway’s regeneration strategy and Local Plan priorities. Theatres, music venues, heritage sites, libraries, and community hubs play a vital role in shaping vibrant, inclusive places that support economic growth, wellbeing, and civic engagement. These spaces foster creativity, celebrate Medway’s rich identity, and provide accessible platforms for learning, participation, and social connection. Comment
9.1.2 Strategic initiatives such as the Chatham Creative Quarters and Medway’s role in the Thames Estuary Production Corridor are unlocking new opportunities for creative industries and cultural organisations, positioning the area as a key player in the South East’s creative economy. At the same time, investment in community infrastructure, including libraries, community hubs, and public spaces, ensures that regeneration is inclusive and responsive to local needs, supporting stronger, more resilient communities. Comment
9.1.3 Embedding both cultural and community infrastructure into regeneration plans ensures that development is not only economically sustainable but also socially and culturally enriching, creating places where people want to live, work, and thrive. Comment
9.1.4 As Medway continues to grow and evolve, investment in cultural infrastructure supports the creation of vibrant town centres, attracts inward investment, and enhances the borough’s appeal to both residents and visitors. By embedding cultural assets into regeneration plans, Medway can ensure that development is not only economically sustainable but also socially and culturally enriching, creating places where people want to live, work, and visit. Comment
9.1.5 This element of social infrastructure is wide reaching in terms of its benefits, providing for the health, welfare social, educational, spiritual, leisure and recreational needs of the community. They enable residents to participate in community life and enable people to connect with others in their local area. Comment
9.1.6 It is important that: Comment
- Cultural and community facilities are well connected to other community facilities, public transport services, open space, recreation facilities, and employment and education opportunities.
- Corresponding services are relevant to local people and can be flexible enough to respond to changing needs.
- Community services infrastructure should be equitably distributed so that all groups in the community are able to benefit.
- Community infrastructure is integrated well into its surroundings and the landscape and natural attributes of sites and settings.
9.1.7 Contributions will be sought for a variety of cultural and community facilities and can often be provided by many different types of community and faith groups, community centres, village halls, churches and other places of worship, local organisations, etc. When major planning applications are received, community facilities of all types in that particular area will be reviewed and contributions requested for the most appropriate to the development. Comment
9.2 Policy/Evidence Base
Creative Medway Cultural Strategy Comment
Thames Estuary Production Corridor Comment
Chatham Creative Quarters Comment
Charge: £251.84 per dwelling Comment
9.3 Heritage and Tourism Infrastructure
9.3.1 The Heritage and Museums service of Medway Council is responsible for Medway’s most iconic and historic buildings, including Rochester and Upnor Castles, Temple Manor in Strood, Eastgate House and the Guildhall Museum in Rochester and the Brook Pumping Station in Chatham. Comment
9.3.2 As well as operating the buildings as places to visit for the public, the service also conserves and maintains these buildings and collections, provides an educational service for local and visiting schools, and develops exhibitions, events, and activities throughout the year. The Council’s Heritage Service provides major assets for the entire Medway population and demands on their fabric upkeep and maintenance and costs directly increase with local population growth. Comment
9.3.3 Not all heritage sites are run directly by Medway Council. Heritage sites operated by non-council organisations are vital to Medway’s cultural and economic landscape. These independent or charitable bodies often bring specialist expertise, flexible funding models, and community-led approaches that enhance the sustainability, innovation, and reach of heritage assets. They can attract external investment, deliver high-quality visitor experiences, and engage diverse audiences in ways that complement council-led services. Comment
9.3.4 By working in partnership with these organisations, Medway benefits from a broader cultural offer, increased capacity for programming and outreach, and stronger connections between heritage, tourism, and regeneration. This collaborative model supports the preservation of historic sites while ensuring they remain active, relevant, and accessible to the public. Comment
9.3.5 Tourism is a key driver of Medway’s economy, drawing visitors to its rich heritage, cultural attractions, and waterfront destinations, while supporting local businesses and jobs. To sustain and grow this impact, robust tourism infrastructure, including transport links, signage, and public realm improvements, is essential for creating a welcoming, accessible, and memorable visitor experience. Comment
9.3.6 Contributions will be sought for a variety of heritage and tourism infrastructure and can often be provided by many different types of community groups, community centres, village halls, churches and other places of worship, local organisations alongside the Council. Comment
9.3.7 The Heritage and Tourism contribution of £391.28 per dwelling in line with the defined thresholds applies to developments within 1,000 metres of the sites identified in 9.3.1. Comment
9.4 Policy/Evidence Base
Cambridge Economic Tourism Impact Study 2023 Comment
Kent Destination Management Plan 2024 Comment
9.5 The Library and Archive Service
9.5.1 Medway Council has a statutory duty to provide a public Library service that is ‘comprehensive and efficient’ (under the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act.) Comment
9.5.2 Medway’s Community Hub and Library Services is made up of 15 buildings across Medway and a Pop-up Library and Home Delivery Service. Comment
9.5.3 Seven Community Hubs provide an expanded model of traditional libraries, offering both cultural and practical services across six key locations: Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester, Strood, Twydall, Lordswood and Wigmore. These hubs provide access to books, digital resources, and public computers, while also serving as local service centres where residents can make council payments, collect recycling supplies, and receive face-to-face support for a wide range of council and partner services. Comment
9.5.4 The Library Service, which operates out of each Community Hub and the remaining 8 library spaces, complements this by offering events, reading programmes, and resources for all ages, including job-seeking support, children’s activities, and digital literacy tools. Together, the hubs and libraries form a vital part of Medway’s community infrastructure, supporting learning, wellbeing, and civic engagement. Comment
9.5.5 Medway Archives Centre, based in Strood, is a vital cultural and historical resource that helps preserve and share the stories of Medway’s people, places, and heritage. It houses a rich collection of archives, books, photographs, maps, periodicals, and research guides that support family history, local history, and academic research. The Centre also hosts exhibitions and events that explore Medway’s social, industrial, and cultural past, from health institutions and pandemics to literary connections with Charles Dickens. Comment
9.5.6 Its importance lies in its role as a guardian of local memory, enabling residents, researchers, and visitors to explore Medway’s identity and evolution. By making historical records accessible and engaging, the Centre supports education, community pride, and cultural continuity, contributing to Medway’s broader heritage and regeneration goals. Medway Archives Centre is an accredited national archive, having been awarded accreditation in November 2021 by the UK's Archive Service Accreditation Committee. Comment
Charge: Investment in existing provision £226.98 per dwelling or towards the provision of a new library £419.14 per dwelling Comment
9.6 Policy/Evidence Base
Public Libraries and Museums Act (1964) Comment
New DCMS National Library Strategy due in 2026 Comment
New Medway Library Plan due in 2026 Comment
