Policy S10: Economic Strategy

Comment

Representation ID: 1824

Received: 18/07/2024

Respondent: Mr Martin Earle

Seeking to retain as much employment land as possible seems to contradict the removal of Chatham Docks as an industrial site. The loss of those local jobs in order to build housing and possible regeneration zones would be many years down the line before completion. A resisdential/industrial mix use of any of the proposed sites (Docks and City Estate) sounds unrealistic and, based on the St Marys Island residents' complaints, a recipe for future problems.

Comment

Representation ID: 1919

Received: 07/08/2024

Respondent: Peter Chatwell

The composition of Medway's economy should be much more heavily skewed to high value services (science, technology), arts, culture, away from vehicle repair, storage and other low-value uses of Medway's precious land. The Medway city estate stands out as a key brownfield asset for regeneration away from low productivity industry, to higher value research/development and attractive housing. It is Medway's Isle of Dogs / Canary wharf moment.

Comment

Representation ID: 1970

Received: 12/08/2024

Respondent: Phillip Ivory

Encourage offices on sites close to transport hubs.

Comment

Representation ID: 2031

Received: 19/08/2024

Respondent: Tonbrigde and Malling Borough Council

We note that the employment needs over the plan period have yet to be established. Policy S10 identifies that this will be determined by the latest employment needs assessment when published. TMBC would welcome clarity on when the employment needs will be known, and questions how a commitment to meet development needs can be made at this stage when the full need is yet to be established.

Comment

Representation ID: 2130

Received: 02/09/2024

Respondent: Mr James Wood

It is important to consider what public transport options are available when considering employment areas, and this should include shift working to ensure that car dependence is reduced

Comment

Representation ID: 2390

Received: 04/09/2024

Respondent: Railfuture Ltd

Railfuture London & South East regional branch endorses, in particular “Larger scale Net Zero Carbon Energy generating uses and port using facilities to be directed to the Hoo Peninsula to sites at Kingsnorth and Grain.”

Comment

Representation ID: 2404

Received: 04/09/2024

Respondent: Mr John Conner

To assess any such proposition it is paramount that a full business plan is provided by any business which shows how Medway will financially benefit and the impact that the business might have on other existing businesses.

Comment

Representation ID: 2464

Received: 04/09/2024

Respondent: Greenwich Students' Union

Medway has an excellent tradition of industry which Students at Medway are keen to maintain. We would welcome continued investment in Science and Engineering to allow our students to remain in the area post-graduation with good graduate roles available. This is in keeping with the culture of the towns and links the current higher and further education offering with local industry in the dockyard.

Comment

Representation ID: 2636

Received: 06/09/2024

Respondent: Councilor EDMUND RALPH BARRALET Peake

Encourage new and alternative industry with grants/loans and tax reductions so that new and vibrant businesses can grow. Thinking outside the box and create a bohemian environment.
Gain a reputation for this and hopefully this will grow.
There is already a significant amount of creative talent in Medway as demonstrated by the amount of activity in craft work shops/classes and craft fairs.
Help to make this economically viable with a non restrictive view on subject matter and what can be done.

Comment

Representation ID: 3017

Received: 06/09/2024

Respondent: Mr robert fynn

Agree

Comment

Representation ID: 3078

Received: 06/09/2024

Respondent: Mr Anthony Rees

We do need more retail buildings but again, they need to be built on brownfield sites

Comment

Representation ID: 3128

Received: 07/09/2024

Respondent: Mr Anthony Rees

Not worried about this

Comment

Representation ID: 3258

Received: 07/09/2024

Respondent: Miss Jackie Forrest

Better roads are required first for access to Grain and Kingsnorth. Roads are not maintained now without increasing the capacity.

Comment

Representation ID: 3280

Received: 07/09/2024

Respondent: Mrs Yvonne Forrest

There needs to be an impact assesment on the A288 , also the impact it has on air quality and the impact on peoples lives

Comment

Representation ID: 3469

Received: 08/09/2024

Respondent: ArcelorMittal Kent Wire Limited

Agent: Lucy McDonnell

The Local Plan puts forward policies in relation to employment land needs, whilst acknowledging that it is based on an assessment from 2015, updated in 2020. We submit that a more up to date assessment is required to accurately consider the need for employment land. The information provided to date is an insufficient basis for the Council's apparent identified need to "regenerate" Basin 3. We do not consider that a need to "regenerate" the site has been identified, especially given that it is currently occupied by a viable key employer.

A full representation is provided to planning.policy@medway.gov.uk

Comment

Representation ID: 3512

Received: 08/09/2024

Respondent: Mrs Frances Grigg

I would like the following wording to be added to this policy: 'New employment proposals will be directed in the first instance towards areas of existing business and commercial activity.'

Comment

Representation ID: 3551

Received: 08/09/2024

Respondent: Mr John Williams

In Medway we have plenty of land earmarked for industrial and must be fully utilised such as kingsnorth and thamesport
Before encroaching on and affecting our Rural and established urban communities.

Comment

Representation ID: 3708

Received: 08/09/2024

Respondent: Mr Ian Proctor

This policy should include "New employment proposals will be directed in the first instance towards areas of existing business and commercial activity".

Comment

Representation ID: 3745

Received: 08/09/2024

Respondent: Mrs Elizabeth Turpin

If the council is serious in its vision to boost Medway's economic performance and secure a range of jobs, then it should not be including the land at Chatham Docks in is Local Plan for housing development. These jobs already exist and the council should do all it can (ie not change the land designation) to safe guard them. Trying to provide employment on other sites in Medway has not always been successful, for example Innovation Park Medway and large amounts of empty office buildings across the towns. Let's keep what is working and help to make it even better.

Comment

Representation ID: 3760

Received: 08/09/2024

Respondent: Mr Bryan Fowler

There seems little evdience that IPM has been successful. IPM could be relocated to the University Campus area. It makes sense to link enterprise with our universities and even near the river.

Comment

Representation ID: 3849

Received: 08/09/2024

Respondent: Miss Rachael Selleck

In Allhallows, there are virtually no local job opportunities, forcing residents to travel long distances for work. As more houses are built in Medway without corresponding job creation, the reliance on cars increases, exacerbating traffic and pollution issues. The lack of local employment means that people are compelled to commute further, which strains the already limited infrastructure and worsens the environmental impact. To address this, it's crucial to balance housing developments with the creation of local jobs and improved transport options.

Comment

Representation ID: 3900

Received: 08/09/2024

Respondent: Mrs Maureen Wade

Do we need anymore building of offices and business properties? There are so many already in existence that have been that way for many years indicating they are not needed. Just because you build it doesn't mean people will use it.

Comment

Representation ID: 3925

Received: 08/09/2024

Respondent: ArcelorMittal Kent Wire Limited

Agent: Lucy McDonnell

The Local Plan puts forward policies in relation to employment land needs, whilst acknowledging that it is based on an assessment from 2015, updated in 2020. We submit that a more up to date assessment is required to accurately consider the need for employment land. The information provided to date is an insufficient basis for the Council's apparent identified need to "regenerate" Basin 3. We do not consider that a need to "regenerate" the site has been identified, especially given that it is currently occupied by a viable key employer.
A full representation is provided to planning.policy@medway.gov.uk