Policy T29: Community and Cultural Facilities

There is a need to seriously consider people’s representations and they need to genuinely influence any decisions by Medway Council and not just pay lip service. All of my previous comments contribute to this section. Clearly any new development must consider its impact on roads, health infrastructure, transport, air quality, water services, refuse collection etc. Sustainability is the key and protection of and creation of new outdoor green spaces. Also new developments need to have a community hall or place where the local community can meet for social events especially outlying areas with poor transport connections

Medway’s infrastructure is not adequate for the needs of this development. Our hospital has nowhere to expand to, regardless of any monies that the developer puts towards medical services. How will Medway ensure that medical services are not stretched to breaking point? Additionally, we do not have enough GPs or GP services……building a surgery will only reiterate the inadequacy….this will be have a detrimental effect on the residents of Medway…..how will you mitigate against that?

The needs to be more cultural safe spaces for health and wellbeing, with people able to earn a living. Growing and planting in spaces provided by the gov for free. Collaboration of financial institutions to invest in the local community. Medway is poor and there is nothing to do for social wellbeing for any age group. Allow pop up shops and markets - at no cost. Rainham healthy living let local charities such as Sahara use for free

We recommend some amendment of this policy to ensure it adequately protects against unnecessary loss.

We urge deletion of "An alternative community facility (social infrastructure) which meets similar local needs to at least the same extent is already available." This is because the existence of another local facility of similar nature does not mean both are compatible as they may serve very different functions and communities, and moreover even if they were of similar offer there may be sufficient need and demand for both. The proposed second criteria addresses this point, which makes the first point redundant.

We also urge amendment to the fourth criteria as economic viability can be manipulated to falsely evidence a facility could be lost. It may also be the case that where a facility is run on a commercial basis it could be successful under an alternative model such as community or charitable ownership/operation. It has been demonstrated that it is no longer economically viable and cannot be made so, unless sufficient marketing evidence has been supplied.

It would be beneficial for evidence of marketing of a site to be provided over a period of at least 12 months but ideally up to 24 months to demonstrate lack of interest. This must be a genuine exercise undertaken through recognised local and national agents relevant for the type of use. This must be at a rent or asking price appropriate to existing use without development potential and condition.

Creative Medway also .
DDA Compliant. Facilities.

Are you joking? Pubs are a hub for people to meet up and socialise, how on earth can you deem them not viable? I am seriously losing faith in this bogus scheme

agree

The shortfall of third spaces after childhood has a negative impact on young peoples development. Facilities and programs must be available for teenagers and young adults for their own social developed and for anti social behaviour reduction

Communities such as village halls community centres and should be supported and enhanced as they for fill a local need and is a focal point for local residents.
Any new developments should have some sort of community facility as part of the plan

I live in Allhallows, where we have been severely neglected by Medway Council for decades. Our village lacks essential community and cultural facilities, which has left us without the resources and support needed to thrive. Despite the increasing population, there has been no corresponding investment in our local infrastructure or amenities. This neglect has left us with limited opportunities for community engagement and cultural enrichment, highlighting the urgent need for Medway Council to address these deficiencies and invest in our village's development and well-being. Medway Council need to start listening to each community to figure out what they need.