Policy SA14: Employment Sites

Object

Representation ID: 4610

Received: 08/08/2025

Respondent: CPRE Kent

Agent: Mr Richard Thompson

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

We are concerned about potential unintended consequences of new local/rural centres in relation to the impact they will have on existing facilities and whether these developments will be truly sustainably located in terms of being accessible on foot/bike or bus and not making the expense of running a car (in terms of actual personal cost, impact on the environment in terms of congestion and air quality) a prerequisite for buying groceries.

Object

Representation ID: 4666

Received: 08/08/2025

Respondent: Mr Awad Chishty

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? No

I strongly oppose the proposal to close Chatham Docks for mixed commercial use. The docks currently support over 800 skilled jobs and contribute significantly to our local economy. Replacing it with yet another commercial development makes no sense when similar spaces nearby remain empty. This plan risks destroying livelihoods, eroding our industrial heritage, and weakening the area’s economic diversity for the sake of an unproven development model. The Council has failed to consider the contribution of Chatham Docks to their own strategic objectives. One such objective is to secure jobs and develop skills – this proposal directly undermines that goal.

Support

Representation ID: 4751

Received: 09/08/2025

Respondent: Miss Jackie Forrest

But roads need improvement

Object

Representation ID: 4786

Received: 10/08/2025

Respondent: Kent Downs AONB Unit

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

Given that two of the site allocations CHR16 and RWB5 covered by this Policy lie in the immediate setting of the National Landscape this policy should include criteria should require that development is sensitively designed to avoid or minimize harm to the natural beauty of the Kent Downs National Landscape. Without the assurances of site-specific requirements, the Plan does not provide the necessary certainty that sites would be delivered in a way that would conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Kent Downs National Landscape as required by the CROW ACT Section 85 duty.

Support

Representation ID: 4909

Received: 11/08/2025

Respondent: AC Goatham & Son

Agent: Bloomfields Ltd

Policy SA14 sets out that HHH19 should provide 14,000 sqm of B2 floorspace, it seems that this is in addition to the retail provision planned at the front of the site. However, it is difficult to ascertain if this is the intention as the HDF does not seem to exist.
The site should be masterplanned to ensure that any mixed-use would work together in a sustainable way, Flanders Farm is a strategically well positioned, which provided the opportunity to deliver several development options. Should the B2 or retail uses not come forward, alternative uses, such as housing, should be considered.

Support

Representation ID: 4923

Received: 11/08/2025

Respondent: Tonbrigde and Malling Borough Council

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council supports Policy SA14 Employment Sites, including the continued allocation of Innovation Park Medway.

The borough council will continue to work with Medway Council to support the delivery of Innovation Park Medway for B2 and E(g)(iii) uses, as commercial circumstances allow. A corresponding allocation will be included in our Local Plan.