5.51

Approximately 60% of this part of Medway’s Green Belt is promoted for development for housing. In the adjacent Gravesend Borough Regulation 18 consultations land directly adjacent (Chapter Farm) is identified as possible allocation for development for housing of approximately 1,800 homes. Given the pressure that exists on the Western Boundary of Medway adjacent to Strood, any release of the Green Belt in this critical sector of the Green Belt could realistically produce the following unintended consequences.
• Create urban Sprawl westwards of the Medway Conurbation
• Put the remaining 40% of Green Belt in this area under extreme pressure for further development in this and subsequent Local Plans.
• Undermine the purpose of Green Belt in this area.
• Encourage Gravesend Borough Council to allocate chapter farm for housing in their local plan. Which in turn would:
• Add approx. an extra 2000 homes on the western boundary of Strood.
• Result in the loss of 165 Ha of Metropolitan Green Belt on its eastern Boundary (Dillywood farm, Dillywood garden centre and Chapter Farm combined)
• Increase the Urban sprawl of Medway by 165 Ha into Green Belt
• Place up to 2,900 homes on the western boundary of Stood.
• Increase pressure on existing services and transport networks with no extra funding to Medway via council tax (2/3 of which would go to GBC)
• Increase the use of private vehicles.
• Create significant addition traffic movements on M2 Junction 1 (already at capacity)
• increase air pollution within the AAQ on London Road
To allocate any land for development in this area would be contrary to the sustainable aspirations of the Medway Local Plan.

Do not like the implication that Gravesham's focus on building on green belt land near Strood gives Medway Council an exclude to build on it too.

Completely agree that development should be in proximity to the transport networks and services in Strood. Development on Bush Road in Cuxton is far from the station on a road with no pavement and no way of putting pavement in which will only add to the danger of the a228 junction. There was previously section 106 money to improve this junction but nothing was done and the junction remains extremely dangerous.

LTC makes the greenbelt ever more important to mitigate the air quality and pollution impacts of the crossing and to protect Medway residents from the serious health impacts.

Designations of Greenbelt and AONB should not be compromised in Medway, particularly Bush Valley, as a result of the potential actions of adjacent local authorities, to the detriment of Medway Residents

No, please work with Gravesham Council to challenge this reduction in Green Belt. Lets not be dictated to by developers.

This must not be allowed to occur.

Medway Council must not let developer greed cloud its vision.

The subject site is adjacent to the built-up area of Strood and would form a logical extension in a highly sustainable location for future development. The Land North of Rede Court has the potential to deliver market and affordable dwellings, including much needed family housing that can be delivered within the first five years of the Plan period and contribute to the housing needs of the District. Any proposals on the site would emphasise healthy living, contribute play areas and open space on site and provide opportunities to access local amenities, schools and community facilities by foot and cycle, so car use is kept to a minimum.

Despite currently being located within the Green Belt, the site specific Landscape, Visual and Green Belt Appraisal submitted with these Representations, clearly demonstrates that the site makes a limited contribution to the purpose and aims of the Green Belt. Furthermore, the changing context of the adjoining land, draft allocation for housing, would effectively leave the site an isolated green field between two built-up areas, further eroding the purpose of the Green Belt in this location. There are no environmental designations in respect of the site that would limit the development potential. In addition, there are no technical issues that would hinder this site from coming forward
for residential development. As such, the site is entirely suitable to accommodate new homes. Development on the site could be brought forward within the first five years of the Plan period, therefore significantly contributing to the short-term housing needs of the Borough.

The site is deliverable and financially viable. There are no known abnormal or infrastructure requirements beyond those expected to deliver a development of this nature.

Medway Council needs to hold firm and resist these development suggestions

The Green Belt is there for a purpose and no part of it must be released for development.

Gravesham planning development on their Green Belt should not constitute as a 'free for all' on Medway's adjoining Green Belt. The preservation and enhancement of this space needs to be critical for the future of the area. Cuxton and Halling face further destruction of their Green Belt, the North Downs and the usable agricultural land.

There are plenty of sites that can be developed on without impacting on Medway's greenbelt. In fact, the fact we have access to the greenbelt should be our unique selling point rather than an option to build on.