COMMENT ON PARA. 5.15

ArcelorMittal submitted representations to the Call for Sites consultation requesting that Chatham Docks be retained as a working, vibrant dock and be promoted for development for continued port use in line with current Local Plan policies ED1 – Existing Employment Areas and Policy E9 – Chatham Docks.

ArcelorMittal notes the reference to ‘this level of housebuilding would mean the transformation of…waterfront areas…’ This should not and cannot be to the detriment of existing, viable employment generating sites such as Chatham Docks.

Evidence submitted to the Council on behalf of ArcelorMittal confirms that Chatham Docks is viable and has an important and significant role in Medway and the South-East.

In particular, the submitted economic and financial assessment of Chatham Docks by Independent Port Consultants concludes that ‘in view of the cost estimate, financial viability and impact on jobs and revenue if the operation is made to close, ending the operation to render the land available for alternative uses does not make economic sense.’

Chatham Docks is a thriving industrial dock. The docks employ over 800 people – many of whom are local. There are also existing jobs in the supply chains. Overall, there are over 2000 jobs dependent on the docks.

There are approximately 180 ship movements a year taking advantage of the non-tidal docks – it is a very sustainable operation taking full advantage of the dockside access. The dock use cannot be re-located, there is no other suitable site in Medway for its operation.

Chatham Docks must continue to be both supported and protected in the new Local Plan.