Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2023)

Re addressing climate change: it would be good to see more public recycling facilities on the high street and at key points throughout Rochester. Encouraging local business to think sustainably would also be great e.g. more veggie/vegan food options (Rochester seems quite meat heavy), biodegradable single use food packaging, metal straws etc.

Re more sustainable choices of transport: having left London for Rochester, there certainly seems to be an over-dependency on cars here, notably due to lack of regular buses and local supermarkets - so keeping on top of essentials such as food shopping always seems to require either a drive or home delivery (both fuel dependent). What could help here is:
- More local and well stocked supermarkets - we are in desperate need of one on Maidstone Road near the top by the post office, also towards the bottom near The Granville.
- More regular buses - they currently only come once every 0.5-1hr, which means you usually ending up opting to drive somewhere for convenience
- More electric charging points throughout the town and local roads (e.g. via lampposts) to encourage hybrid and electric cars
- Bike lanes around the town, and space for secure CCTV bike storage near the station
- Safer walkways near busy roads e.g. maidstone road seems especially dangerous for school children walking up and down it, and the cars driving at 30mph

It would be great to include as an objective here ‘the provision of more local essential services such as local supermarkets to reduce carbon footprint’, as this seems to be one of the key and main reasons my partner and I need to drive anywhere regularly in Rochester.

Would be good to include here ‘and access to medical facilities’. My partner and I have really struggled to sign up to the doctors here, and to get out pet registered to the vets as everywhere seems to be full!

It would also be really great to include mention here about ‘encouraging a rich, diverse and inclusive culture’ as that’s one thing that make cities like London so brilliant, and we can see is starting to take shape in Rochester too which we love!

Please could rooftops also be considered, if safe. A few rooftops for various uses would add alot of value to the area e.g. rooftop cinema clubs, rooftop gardens, rooftop restaurants/bars overlooking the castle etc.