Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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.
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
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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.
The river medway can be a transport asset, dramatically cutting road usage, and can be a cutting-edge clean energy source. By 2041 it would be shocking not to be extracting its full potential in these respects.
The UK economy is 80% service sector, 20% manufacturing. Medway's economy does not reflect these proportions, being heavier on manufacturing, light on higher-value services. Moreover, if prime real estate such as the Medway city estate is still acting as a legacy manufacturing and storage area in 2041, Medway will still be trying to compete with cheaper economies further away from London, but with SE England labour and land costs. It makes no strategic sense to preserve this losing position.
The Medway city estate is a massive opportunity for regeneration away from low value (low GDP-per capita industries) to attractive housing, innovative new businesses (research and implementation into energy capture and storage from the river, for example). Setting this out in the plan will facilitate a much stronger Medway economy, while freeing up road and housing capacity. Think about how the Isle of Dogs has been transformed over the past 30 years. If we can achieve a fraction of that progress (without the high-rise building), bringing housing and high-value Research and Development business into Medway, the economic benefit will be enormous and existing road and river transport capacity will be released.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Representation ID: 1970
Received: 12/08/2024
Respondent: Phillip Ivory
Encourage offices on sites close to transport hubs.
Encourage offices on sites close to transport hubs.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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.
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
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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
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
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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.”
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
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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.
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
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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.
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
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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.
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
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Representation ID: 3017
Received: 06/09/2024
Respondent: Mr robert fynn
Agree
Agree
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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
We do need more retail buildings but again, they need to be built on brownfield sites
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Representation ID: 3128
Received: 07/09/2024
Respondent: Mr Anthony Rees
Not worried about this
Not worried about this
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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.
Better roads are required first for access to Grain and Kingsnorth. Roads are not maintained now without increasing the capacity.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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
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
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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
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
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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.'
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
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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.
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
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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".
This policy should include "New employment proposals will be directed in the first instance towards areas of existing business and commercial activity".
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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.
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
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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.
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
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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.
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
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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.
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
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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
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