Boost pride in Medway through quality and resilient development

In relation to the regeneration of Medway, the plan process should include review of the key areas of regeneration and specifically consider how the wider transformation of the waterfront will be supported throughout the plan period. There should be flexibility within the policy approach to allow for mixed-use developments to ensure that there are sustainable communities within the areas of regeneration.

Whilst our client generally supports the overall Strategic Objectives it will be important to ensure that detailed policies under the subsequent chapters are formulated appropriately, in order to support their delivery.

References to ‘the Site’ mean Site Ref: GN6 (Gillingham No.3 and 4) identified in the Land Availability Assessment 2023 and as fully detailed in our letter of representations submitted to the Council.

* Ensure development keeps to a strict timeline or apply penalties, to halt unfinished work lying empty for ages.
* Severely limit greenbelt building when there are so many dilapidated and uninhabitable properties littering the towns.
* Seriously consider not allowing so many pop up burger bars and fast food outlets all over Medway.
* Consider the availability of allotments. So many flats with no green space. More gardens or allotments please.
* Increase medical clinics / facilities to alleviate the pressure on Medway Hospital which is drowning under our ever increasing population.

This representation supports the provision of quality and resilient development in Medway and we support the Council’s recognition that growth does not mean losing character of an area.

The second bullet point sets out that sustainable development should be directed to the “most suitable locations that can enhance Medway’s economic, social and environmental characteristics”. This stance is supported, as it acknowledges that development of both brownfield and greenfield sites can come forward to meet the housing requirement. The most suitable locations that can enhance Medway's economic, social and environmental characteristics should be utilised to deliver the housing requirement of the area.
An allocation for development of the site could provide an opportunity to deliver this objective, in a development which meets the aspirations of sustainable development, directing development to the most suitable locations, in this case a brownfield site.

This can only be achieved if Medway focuses on the developments it needs for natural growth, rather than allowing itself to be forced to follow the Volume House Builders’ Agenda. The new Council leaders must stand up for Medway as a Special Case when it comes to housing needs as it is already far more densely populated than any of its neighbouring authorities.

This strategic objective includes the need ‘to deliver sustainable development, meeting the needs of Medway's communities’. It should be noted that this is somewhat premature and potentially misleading as currently written. Medway falls within the same Housing Market Area as Gravesham and it is understood that Medway may take on some of Gravesham’s need. That being the case, the objective would be clearer if it read as follows ‘to deliver sustainable development, meeting the needs of the community…’

Consider including “Ensure the restoration of iconic Medway buildings (including those with a heritage designation) and subsequent prevention of premature building demolition (and the associated carbon emissions of disposal) by protecting against the impacts of extreme weather. Reuse and repurpose existing buildings (such as vacant units on the High Street) before building new, where possible.”
Recognise the role that new builds have, in doing the upmost to avoid climate impact risks so that remedial action is not an afterthought or the responsibility of future generations. Resilience planning should be very long term, at least 100 years.
Instead of “seeking opportunities for greener construction,” this should state “drive reductions in the carbon impacts of housing in new developments…..” by setting minimum requirements…”

The proposed development at the site, at High Halstow, has been designed to carefully take account of planning policy requirements as well as site characteristics for example local character, heritage, and landscape, to bring forward a high-quality and attractive scheme.

The proposals are of an appropriate layout and form which promotes the 15-minute neighbourhood concept, is exemplary in terms of appearance and provides high-quality residential development, designed to be inclusive and accessible, and to contribute to the health and wellbeing of existing and future occupants.

The site will bring forward the creation of a vibrant community by delivering new amenities through the provision of a local centre, and new public open space, incorporating recreational routes, amenity spaces and new children’s play areas benefiting existing and future residents.

Any house building/development must be small in scale so to not destroy the current character and outlooks of Medway's villages. Open green space must be retained for the good of each village and the health and wellbeing of residents.

If you walk around the Medway it doesn't take long to see the numerous derelict sites (some that have been left for decades) that could and should be developed. As a few examples, look at parts of Gillingham High Street, the corner of Marlborough Road, the area alongside The Brook, land behind the Chatham-Rochester Road - I could go on!
Chatham Docks must be protected for the benefit of the community. Council policy on this appears to change year to year, but the long term future must now be agreed. We do not the infrastructure for the proposed housing anyway.

Development of the transport network specifically also needs to focus on roads. There has, and will continue to be, a significant volume of new build housing and to assume that everyone will walk, cycle or use public transport is naive. Many roads in Medway are already at capacity and the situation will get worse with more housing/people. Congestion creates pollution - any new development should only take place where road infrastructure can meet demand - areas at capacity should not be developed further.

For too long the focus of the council has been on the communities on the east bank of the Medway and the West Bank communities feel ignored.

We endorse the above objective and in particular its first two sub-sections in relation to transport infrastructure to support sustainable development.

I agree with these objectives. I think the Plan needs to emphasis the importance of the river to the local community, and do more to develop a sense of place for each of the towns and villages that make up Medway.

I agree but any development must not have a negative impact on the wonderful nature and wildlife we have.

"respecting the natural and historic environment" by building on the green spaces

Where in this plan are the proposals to develop brownfield sites or to improve housing that exists but is below standards. That would improve areas within Medway and boost pride. There are some areas which historically weren’t considered to be dangerous or poverty stricken areas but now are. I understand it won’t happen overnight, but some of these areas need to be targeted and improved.

To boost pride develop existing residential areas and high streets with better public transport links.

New developments should not forego the retail opportunities in current high street and retail locations. There should be cycleways and walkways from new developments to the High Street e.g. making used of the disused rail track from Gillingham docks to Gillingham train station; protecting it for transport infrastructure rather than using it for housing. Secondly, development in Lower Rainham needs a dedicated sustainable access to Rainham high street parallel to the railway. Current elements are the distinctive characters of Medway Towns, enhancing their growth will solidify pride in our towns and a resilient economy.

Would definitely support the best use of brownfield land. Trying to protect our green spaces and areas of natural beauty by building on land that has already been developed should be encourage.
Also support the building of homes in the urban areas, near existing public transport, to help improve exiting public transport and also improve retail in the town centres. This will help reduce car dependency which I support to help improve peoples health but keeping us fit and improving the air quality .

This representation supports the provision of quality and resilient development in Medway and we support the Council’s recognition that growth does not mean losing character of an area.

The second bullet point sets out that sustainable development should be directed to the “most suitable locations that can enhance Medway’s economic, social and environmental characteristics”. This stance is supported, as it acknowledges that development of both brownfield and greenfield sites can come forward to meet the housing requirement. The most suitable locations that can enhance Medway's economic, social and environmental characteristics should be utilised to deliver the housing requirement of the area.

An allocation for development of the sites at Middle & Lower Stoke would provide an opportunity to deliver this objective, in a development which meets the aspirations of sustainable development, directing development to the most suitable location

Again agree with all of the above but ask that the Council, aware that Medway is already more densely populated than neighbouring authorities ask that the authority should only have to approve housing numbers that reflect Medway's housing need.

We support the objective to encourage the re-use and redevelopment of previously-developed land. Using an Urban Greening Factor approach can complement biodiversity net gain on urban sites with low baseline biodiversity.

Such redevelopment should seek to preserve existing mature trees and protect existing habitats on biodiverse brownfield sites. High density housing should seek to accommodate trees along boundaries, paths and in areas of public space.

Design standards should presume the retention of existing trees, promote connectivity in location of new planting and prioritise suitable species selection including UK sourced & grown tree stock for biosecurity.

Overall, CCE support the vision and strategic objectives set out in the consultation document. In particular ‘to provide for high quality energy efficient homes that meet the housing needs of Medway’s communities reflecting the range of sizes, types and affordability the area needs’ alongside ‘the provision of a portfolio of good quality employment land’. The objectives also, importantly, recognise development should be of high quality, resilient and supported by the timely provision of infrastructure to facilitate a sustainable and green future. CCE support the intention to deliver sustainable development, meeting the needs of Medway’s communities whilst respecting the natural and historic environment and directing growth to the most suitable locations.

My vision is for a Medway of connected but unique expression of community, each offering it unique flavor and style but part of the Medway identity.

To enable this, we need to create high quality affordable and carbon negative homes, connected and served by the an integrated array of services (education, health care, etc) and the supporting infrastructure (transport, waste management, water, community energy generation) they need to flourish and live.

GAP - This must be underpinned by a Medway business plan and roadmap which enables and resources the delivery of this as a sustaibale Local plan,.

This representation supports the provision of quality and resilient development in Medway and we support the Council’s recognition that growth does not mean losing character of an area.

The second bullet point sets out that sustainable development should be directed to the “most suitable locations that can enhance Medway’s economic, social and environmental characteristics”. This stance is supported, as it acknowledges that development of both brownfield and greenfield sites can come forward to meet the housing requirement. The most suitable locations that can enhance Medway's economic, social and environmental characteristics should be utilised to deliver the housing requirement of the area.

An allocation for development of the site could provide an opportunity to deliver this objective, in a development which meets the aspirations of sustainable development, directing development to the most suitable locations.

Strategic Objectives

As stated above, Redrow support the objective to strengthen and develop transport networks to provide safe and effective choices for sustainable travel, including improved opportunities for walking and cycling and enhanced public transport services, and management of the highways network, with associated improvements in air quality. This is seen as key to unlocking development potential at sites where, historically, highway capacity has been seen as a constraint.

Further, Redrow recognise the need to secure a robust green and blue infrastructure network across land and water that protects and enhances the assets of the natural and historic environments in urban and rural Medway; providing resilience for nature through better connectivity and conditions; informing the design and sustainability of new development; and supporting healthier lifestyles.
These can readily be incorporated into development proposals and it is considered that these can best be planned in co-ordination with a growth strategy to deliver the new homes required at the appropriate location. The Local Plan could set out a clear strategy for achieving these objectives within individual site allocations but also across a wider area, such as suburban expansion at Rainham, through masterplanning and co-ordination of development proposals (a Framework).

New housing growth in selected areas can also achieve the objective to reduce inequalities in health by delivering better outcomes for residents, by promoting opportunities for increasing physical activity and mental wellbeing, through green infrastructure and public realm design for walking, cycling, parks and other recreation facilities.

Well designed and co-ordinated new housing growth at the right suburban locations could reduce social isolation by supporting retention and enhancement of local services close to where people live, and inclusive environments that are accessible by all groups in society. It could also strengthen the role of Medway’s existing urban, neighbourhood and village centres, responding with a positive strategy to changes in retail; supporting independent retail and start-ups, encouraging new business uses into the High Street. It would help to secure a range of accessible services and facilities for local communities close to where they live.

As set out above, Redrow support the objective to boost pride in Medway through quality and resilient development, and this could be achieved with development that is supported by and co-ordinated with the timely provision of good quality effective infrastructure, so that the needs of Medway’s growing and changing communities are well served. As such, it is critical to deliver sustainable development, meeting the needs of Medway’s communities, respecting the natural and historic environment, and directing growth to the most accessible locations, which should include suburban extensions, to best enhance Medway’s existing economic, social and environmental characteristics.

This representation supports the provision of quality and resilient development in Medway and we support the Council’s recognition that growth does not mean losing character of an area.

The second bullet point sets out that sustainable development should be directed to the “most suitable locations that can enhance Medway’s economic, social and environmental characteristics”. This stance is supported, as it acknowledges that development of both brownfield and greenfield sites can come forward to meet the housing requirement. The most suitable locations that can enhance Medway's economic, social and environmental characteristics should be utilised to deliver the housing requirement of the area.

An allocation for development of the site could provide an opportunity to deliver this objective, in a development which meets the aspirations of sustainable development, directing development to the most suitable locations.

This sound great, but willl be a challenge to fulfill as it is cheaper to use greenfield sites rather than brownfield. A string strategy is required to make sure that growth is in the most suitable locations

‘Boost pride in Medway through quality and resilient development’
14. The LP2040 focusses on the need for the provision of good quality infrastructure, sustainable development and making the best use of brownfield land. Catesby Estates considers that Medway has big ambitions and in order to achieve these it is vital that growth is planned and implementable. In order to deliver the desired connectivity, choice of economic land, choice of new homes, promote inward investment and cater to the needs of the existing communities, a holistic approach is required that looks towards connecting and supporting the whole region.

Innovation should be supported in providing more energy efficient buildings which are designed to reflect local distinctiveness. This is more likely to be achieved through developing smaller sites in Medway’s villages for custom or self-built homes. Local construction companies who have a good understanding of the special character of Medway’s different areas have an important role to play in achieving this strategic objective.