The plan's vision is to

The non-tidal basins in Chatham Docks provide a unique and irreplaceable opportunity for Medway to exploit its geo-economic advantages; the river and our location relative to Europe, The North Sea, London and the SE region. The space is proven to be economically viable, especially for major civil engineering and ship repair. Transport by river uses 80% less carbon than by road, takes pressure off our roads and opens up no end of value adding opportunities.The land and basins would be very complex and expensive to develop for residential use, due to flood, safety, contamination and access problems.

We support the overall vision for Medway Council.

Most importantly, the delivery of new homes (and communities) such as at High Halstow is central to successfully achieving the aspirations of the Council because new homes can deliver sustainable development in relation to social, environmental and economic objectives. Significantly, in line with the vision, new development can improve quality of life.

We recommend that the growth strategy (including future site allocations) is planned in a joined-up manner alongside securing new required infrastructure to support existing and new communities, as well as addressing environmental matters.

Petrol is very expensive. I ride about Medway on my bike to save fuel money. Please can you try to make it safer for me to ride my bike? Not every road is suitable for bike lanes, but where possible, it would help, or please consider 20mph limits. Especially on the Strood side of the river, where there's hardly any provision for bikes. Thank you :)

Medway is not a city. It is a collect of towns that have different histories, different needs and issues that need to be addressed. Try to get a one size fits all is not going to work

Public transport needs to be a lot better if people are going to use their cars less. Bus services are particularly essential for non-drivers. However buses will not work any better than cars if the Council keeps allowing utilities to close whole roads.
On climate change, the fantastic river walkways already flood. Some thought needs to be given to hardening homes against raised sea levels.
Every city needs more trees and protection of open spaces.
Developers cannot be trusted to provide the infrastructure needed to cope with the increased housing. They are in it to service their debt and make a

We endorse the Vision for Medway in 2040, and in particular “Improved travel choices and infrastructure have reduced the use of the car across Medway, with people benefitting from better provision for pedestrians and cyclists, and a greater public transport offer.” and “All sectors and ages of the community can find decent places to live.” and “Derelict sites at Grain and Kingsnorth on the Hoo Peninsula have been transformed into thriving economic hubs.”

Rochester in particular has lost its way in recent years with a vast number of flats being built, blocking out the sky and creating a Medway that is overcrowded difficult to get round in/out off and deprived on woodlands and other natural open space. Noise and air pollution make in an unhealthy place to live. I would like to see a policy dedicated to providing more open space, preventing unlawful tipping and littering and improving the well being of all our residents

You are saying alot about climate change. To help address climate change you need to stop allowing developers destroying green field sites and open spaces. Water needs to go somewhere and concrete isn't the answer.

I agree with the Vision 2024 aims. It is important that the Local Plan does all it can to reduce carbon emissions, improve public transport links (especially to the country parks) and make walking and cycling more enjoyable ways of getting around.

I agree with the ethos here. Being able to access green spaces without having to drive a car to them is important. So public transport needs improving. I like the idea of using our river for transport and leisure.

Train station back on the cards for Hoo that is linked with Strood and Gravesend. Also insist that Arriva run buses through the Medway tunnel at certain times to help students on the peninsular that are going to Mid Kent or UTC or for young people going to Dockside

The vision statement contains many laudable objectives but much of it is vague and fails to set out how objectives can be met. There is no evidence base to found the Vision. It fails to recognize the importance and significance of protecting the Hoo Peninsula, its unique estuarine landscape and rich biodiversity. Many of its habitat designations, are threatened by sprawling development and industrial agriculture.The approach to development on the Hoo Peninsula should start from the principle that the Peninsula is first and foremost a unique resource, not only to Medway as its bid for Unesco status would indicate; a place where, where the policy principles that may apply in the urban parts of the Medway towns are unlikely to apply. Instead principles and policies that seek to first and foremost protect and enhance its natural characteristics should prevail.

You are proposing to build on medways green lung, & all green space around capstone, how is that strengthening our natural assets? There will not be any countryside to connect to! This area needs to be protected with the high pollution volume in Medway, our natural space needs preserving. There will be no quality of life for future generations if all countryside and wildlife is gone. These areas and around Rainham are already exceptionally busy and green space not being protected enough.

The roads and traffic are already diabolical and will only get worse with more housing. Medway does not have the infrastructure, one hospital and not enough doctors etc. The housing that is currently being built is so expensive that no locals can afford them except Londoners or "Buy to Rent" landlords. The only people benefiting are the greedy landowners and developers. We shall loose more open green spaces and wildlife. How will this improve physical and mental wellbeing in the future? I don't want to live in a concrete jungle.

Medway lacks a focal point. The cathedral is in Rochester, the shopping centre and bus station is in Chatham. Where is the centre of Medway for visitors?

F D Attwood and Partners have a significant landholding of 365ha, which runs the full length of the Capstone Corridor from Darland Banks to the M2 motorway (identified on the attached plan). This single family landowner supports the overall Medway vision for the plan, particularly in the following areas:
• The overall framing of the vision and the recognition that development can bring forward positive benefits if planned well. It is positive that there is recognition the vision must be ambitious (para 2.4) and looks forward and is not overtly influenced by past choices that were taken in a different context based on a specific locational preference which has dominated past spatial decision making, namely Hoo. It is also right that the vision should be the starting point from which spatial options can later derive to identify the “best fit.”
• The need to address existing inequalities and create more inclusive communities is identified in the vision and this is supported by FD Attwood and Partners and can best be addressed by new development for the suburban and urban waterfront options. The focus on urban regeneration is fully supported and rightly prioritised subject to the caveats highlighted in our response to Question 2. The highlighting of the important role of existing High Streets within the vision is also commended and again the urban and suburban spatial options which are geographically the closest, and already serve a large urban area catchment, will be better placed to meet this important objective and help revitalise the town centres as important social meeting places and reinforcing the identity of Medway.
• The need to meet growth through mixed communities and the desire to create jobs alongside housing and reduce existing levels of out commuting is also fully supported in the vision and clearly, options that improve travel choice and infrastructure, will best deliver this aspect of the vision.
• Highlighting that infrastructure and services must be delivered with new development to create balance for the existing and new communities is pivotal and fully supported and this certainly has not been delivered by national planning decision making in the past and is another reason to support the need for the vision to be positive and ambitious rather than to be governed by what didn’t happen in the past.
• Meeting the full spectrum of housing needs, including first time buyers and importantly the increased delivery of affordable housing, is supported.
• Highlighting that the vision should be underpinned by quality development which includes SUDS, open space, recreational and health, alongside community and social infrastructure, is fully supported and it is right to emphasise this can best be achieved through a comprehensive masterplanned approach where healthier, safe and better connected and sustainable places which are more inclusive can be delivered.
• The recognition of the central importance of climate change and addressing air quality in driving decision making is fully supported alongside the emphasis on the importance of connected spaces and particularly green infrastructure, which in the case of the Capstone Corridor, represents a unique opportunity to connect existing urban areas and the planned growth at Lidsing Garden Community (which will include significant areas of green and blue infrastructure ) with existing green assets in this corridor such as the Capstone Country Park.
Message Summary
The Attwood family have a very significant strategic landholding at Capstone which offers an opportunity for the stated objectives of the vision to be met through comprehensive masterplanning and coordinated infrastructure delivery to meet a range of development needs, whilst also delivering significant biodiversity gains.

There will be no countryside if you build on the existing green fields. There is not enough infrastructure for current residents . The only thing it will bring is DFLs and the associated problems that they bring crime and court lines .There are plenty of empty properties already available.

Improved travel choices needs to be clear that it will be implemented as it is inevitable the Local Plan strategy creates housing denser than today's housing stock with a front and back garden. It should make a firm strategy where apartments are built, an infrastructure of bus-only road and segregated cycleways are built to employment areas, town centres and train stations.

The map to reaching 'net zero' can only happen if s106 / CIL money is used to improve insulation in current housing. That must be included in this plan.

I strongly disagree with this planning, the beauty of this area and it’s wildlife will be greatly affected. We moved to Hempstead 5 years ago to to take advantage of the great school & village community. Where we lived before became over populated meaning parking, school places and doctors appointments were harder to come by. I appreciate the need to supply new houses for an ever growing community however I feel that you should maybe take the time to complete / ensure housing is fit for purpose first - I believe the new builds at Darland View need some attention

Transportation needs improving. I regularly get stuck around Medway when attending carer focused events. I'm also very concerned for people who are stuck in their homes, unable to leave and to do activities as there isn't a reliable bus service, seats at bus stops or a transport system for the old/infirm to take them to activities to combat loneliness and mental health issues such as Dementia. I'm also a community carer in Medway and visit clients with Dementia and they just can't get out and about which makes their health worse and has a knock on effect to carers.

The “Vision” is contrary to paragraph 15 of the NPPF. It fails to identify the quantum and provision of housing and employment as an important component of the Plan. This is a central matter for the spatial strategy. In not expressing the amount of development that is to be delivered the Plan fails to be positively prepared to provide a suitable framework for addressing housing and employment needs.

The “Vision” must be amended to reference housing and employment provisions with supporting text added referencing to the delivery of 28,500 new homes.

The “Vision” is contrary to paragraph 15 of the NPPF. It fails to identify the quantum and provision of housing and employment as an important component of the Plan. This is a central matter for the spatial strategy. In not expressing the amount of development that is to be delivered the Plan fails to be positively prepared to provide a suitable framework for addressing housing and employment needs.

The “Vision” must be amended to reference housing and employment provisions with supporting text added referencing to the delivery of 28,500 new homes.

While Medway may be defined by its river and estuaries, we are concerned with the lack of representation offered in the local plan to those who live on houseboats. Medway has a duty under the Housing Planning Act 1985 (amended 2016) to have regard to those who live on houseboats.

Living on houseboats is a traditional and historic way of living, and a way to increase the vibrancy and accessibility of the river is to provide adequate mooring spaces in central locations.

While Medway may be defined by its river and estuaries, we are concerned with the lack of representation offered in the local plan to those who live on houseboats. Medway has a duty under the Housing Planning Act 1985 (amended 2016) to have regard to those who live on houseboats.

Living on houseboats is a traditional and historic way of living, and a way to increase the vibrancy and accessibility of the river is to provide adequate mooring spaces in central locations.

Medway Vision
It is vital that the importance of open countryside is recognised and preserved for the benefit of residents and wildlife. The corridor including Darland Banks and Capstone Valley must be protected from development.
Section 5.29
If the areas put forward for consideration for development were to proceed, this would decimate the only remaining area of open countryside in this part of Medway with the exception of Capstone Country Park. Not only would this have a huge detrimental effect on residents, but it would also severely affect wildlife as this corridor currently links through to the AONB and beyond.

While Medway may be defined by its river and estuaries, we are concerned with the lack of representation offered in the local plan to those who live on houseboats. Medway has a duty under the Housing Planning Act 1985 (amended 2016) to have regard to those who live on houseboats.

Living on houseboats is a traditional and historic way of living, and a way to increase the vibrancy and accessibility of the river is to provide adequate mooring spaces in central locations.

The NPPF (paragraph 20), sets out that strategic policies should ‘set out an overall strategy for the pattern, scale and design quality of places, and make sufficient provision for [amongst others]:
a) housing (including affordable housing), employment, retail, leisure and other commercial development’;

Furthermore, the National Planning Policy Framework (‘NPPF’) requires that in order to boost housing supply, local planning authorities (‘LPAs’) should identify a supply of specific deliverable sites sufficient to provide 5-years’ worth of housing against their housing requirements with an additional buffer of 20% where there has been a record of persistent under delivery of housing.

The consultation report highlights at paragraph 5.4 that “It has to be recognised that there is a housing crisis, particularly regarding affordability and there is an absolute need to provide the right homes in the right places to meet Medway’s growing needs and the requirements for those desperately needing a good quality home”. It goes on to acknowledge that many existing residents are living in over-crowded and / or sub-standard housing conditions.

It is important that the protection of the intrinsic character and qualities of a site or an area are considered, but these qualities can be protected when new housing development is delivered, through good design and by improving the sustainable networks and access to places and services. Rather than seen as negative, new housing development should be seen as an opportunity to improve the area for the current and future residents delivering the types and quantity of homes that are desperately needed. On this basis, respectfully, reference to ‘housing delivery’ should be made in the vision.

The NPPF sets out in paragraph 22 that it is important that ‘where larger scale developments such as new settlements or significant extensions to existing villages and towns form part of the strategy for the area, policies should be set within a vision that looks further ahead (at least 30 years), to take into account the likely timescale for delivery’.

It is submitted that the residential development of these three sites at Middle & Lower Stoke would be able to contribute positively to the existing elements of the vision for Medway, but would also be able to deliver important housing numbers early on in the Local Plan period. The sites are all available, and their development considered to be achievable.

I'm not convinced that Medway achieving "City Status" will be of benefit. Maybe the efforts will be a distraction from the rest of the "vision".

It is not clear that City status is beneficial or necessary for Medway as a place.

Climate change is the output of a set of global problems (our impact on the planet,) - it is the wrong term to use. Our goal is fixing those problems, and hence restore our planet and our eco system.

Green growth - poor terminology but it must include the creation of a new and innovative green economic infrastructure, that funds and enables Medway to flourish.

An integrated people-sized transport infrastucture is essential.

Our plan must benefit the full diversity of our communities across Medway.

We support the goal of integrating action on climate change and nature recovery into the Local Plan. The climate crisis is paralleled by a nature crisis and we need solutions that will tackle both.

A rapid increase in the rate of woodland creation has been proposed by the UK’s Committee on Climate Change (CCC), to provide a key mechanism to lock up carbon in trees and soils, provide an alternative to fossil fuel energy and resource-hungry building material, increase resilience to the impact of climate change, and to stem the declines in biodiversity. The Woodland Trust supports the CCC’s recommended an increase in UK woodland cover from its current 13% of land area to at least 19% by 2050 to tackle this country’s biodiversity and climate crises. More information can be found in the Trust’s 2020 publication The Emergency Tree Plan.

Urban trees and hedgerows help mitigate the impacts of climate change, delivering natural cooling in urban heat islands through transpiration as well as providing shelter and shade, and contributing to sustainable urban drainage systems. They also make a valuable contribution to the quality of the public realm, helping reduce air, noise and light pollution and improve people’s mental health.

We recommend including specific policy in support of new tree planting, hedgerows and urban woodland creation in the Local Plan. We recommend setting a % target for tree canopy cover, to be pursued through the retention of important trees, appropriate replacement of trees lost through development, ageing or disease and by new planting to support green infrastructure. This will complement the emerging requirements for Biodiversity Net Gain and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.