HHH41: The 1.05ha brownfield site, on the southern side of Ratcliffe Highway, is a roughly triangular-shaped site accessed from its own permanent access off Ratcliffe Highway which would be suitable for a highways compliant access to serve the residential scheme proposed on this site. The site comprises hard standing and several buildings which serve the current business uses. A further review of Google Earth’s historic mapping, identifies that the site has a history of commercial vehicle use as far back as the 1960s.

The site is located adjoining the Ratcliffe Highway to the north and on this boundary, it is screened by a band of hedging and vegetation. It is surrounded by agricultural fields to the south and west and there is a further narrow hedgerow which screens the site on these boundaries. These agricultural fields are subject to a planning application for outline consent (MC/23/1934) for 240 dwellings which is currently under consideration .

The eastern boundary extends to the access drive with the properties known as River View and Mill View Cottages located on opposing sides. The site access is located between the Mill View Cottages and the eastern boundary of the site, with the shared access extending southwards to the neighbouring property River View.

The site had a planning application approved with conditions under reference (22/1498) for retrospective provision of additional hard standing and enclosure between the depot and the highway for light industrial use including car sales. This extended the area of the site northwards towards Ratcliffe Highway, increasing the brownfield area of the site significantly.

Response to the Regulation 18 consultation 2024

The current Regulation 18 consultation 2024 provides the opportunity to comment on the emerging Local Plan, it sets out the proposed vision and strategic objectives for the plan, a range of policy areas, including the environment, economy, transport, housing, services and retail. It also sets out a proposed Policies Map that reflects the indicative preferred development strategy. However, it does not contain detailed site policies at this stage.

The results of this consultation will inform the final draft plan, due for publication in early 2025, which will include the detailed site policies.

This representation supports the inclusion of The Depot, Ratcliffe Highway site, HHH41, for inclusion in the future Local Plan for Medway and provides detailed feedback on individual paragraph numbers and policies as follows:
• Paragraph 1.2.2:- We support the vision for the plan which seeks to identify sites that will enable people to live healthier and longer lives. We consider that site HHH41, and its neighbouring sites, will provide a safe, connected and sustainable place to live and work in this part of the Hoo Peninsula.
• Paragraph 1.2.8:- We support the statement that ‘Housing-led growth can support wider investment in services and businesses and contribute to shaping the character of new and existing communities’.
• Paragraph 1.2.9:- The Plan will consider how Medway's infrastructure, such as schools, transport networks, health facilities, parks and community facilities, need to be upgraded in line with a growing and changing population. Site HHH41 is considered to be a well-located site, that will provide its future occupiers with access to facilities required for each stage of their lives. Furthermore, its location adjoining other sites provides the opportunity for economies of scale for infrastructure investment for an increasing population.