Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2023)
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Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2023)
The plan's vision is to
Representation ID: 497
Received: 19/10/2023
Respondent: Mr Keith Swaden
As the HIF funding has been withdrawn, the chance of key infrastructure projects being delivered by the timeline required to deliver this plan has already been lost. The consequence of this will be houses being built years before the required infrastructure is in place to support the increased population, further congesting already congested road systems.
As the HIF funding has been withdrawn, the chance of key infrastructure projects being delivered by the timeline required to deliver this plan has already been lost. The consequence of this will be houses being built years before the required infrastructure is in place to support the increased population, further congesting already congested road systems.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2023)
5.17
Representation ID: 498
Received: 19/10/2023
Respondent: Mr Keith Swaden
Each of these sites should include the number of homes or businesses each specific site could potentially provide. Maybe a maximum and minimum number would be useful.
Each of these sites should include the number of homes or businesses each specific site could potentially provide. Maybe a maximum and minimum number would be useful.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2023)
5.17
Representation ID: 499
Received: 19/10/2023
Respondent: Mr Keith Swaden
Some of the sites included on the various maps have already received a level of planning permission. It would be very helpful if each site is colour coded to identify any site that has already received some level of planning permission. A good example of this is the proposed East Hill development along North Dane Way in Lords Wood. This has already received planning permission for the first 100 of a potential 800 homes, although I understand this now on hold.
I presume there is a standard planning categorisation that could be used for the colour coding.
Some of the sites included on the various maps have already received a level of planning permission. It would be very helpful if each site is colour coded to identify any site that has already received some level of planning permission. A good example of this is the proposed East Hill development along North Dane Way in Lords Wood. This has already received planning permission for the first 100 of a potential 800 homes, although I understand this now on hold.
I presume there is a standard planning categorisation that could be used for the colour coding.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2023)
5.7
Representation ID: 500
Received: 19/10/2023
Respondent: Mr Keith Swaden
Key suburban developments linked with the very significant development plans for the Isle of Grain plus the potential impact of proposed LTC, will impact on J1 - J4 of the M2 not just J1. As only J1 was included in the HIF, now withdrawn, there is almost no chance that these very significant and impactful junction upgrades will be completed by the planning horizon. Of course for each junction upgrade the surrounding A and B roads will also need to be upgraded. Existing and new residents will suffer the consequences of increased population but insufficient road infrastructure - as usual,
Key suburban developments linked with the very significant development plans for the Isle of Grain plus the potential impact of proposed LTC, will impact on J1 - J4 of the M2 not just J1. As only J1 was included in the HIF, now withdrawn, there is almost no chance that these very significant and impactful junction upgrades will be completed by the planning horizon. Of course for each junction upgrade the surrounding A and B roads will also need to be upgraded. Existing and new residents will suffer the consequences of increased population but insufficient road infrastructure - as usual,
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2023)
5.4
Representation ID: 501
Received: 19/10/2023
Respondent: Mr Keith Swaden
I have a fundamental question relating to Medway's population and the funding of council services. My reason for asking this is to understand whether there is a benefit to a council to increase its population. Does all the money raised from Council tax paid by Medway residents go to provide the services provided by the council, or is there an element of profit that could be used for instance to pay down council debt or in good times provide new and improved services? If there is an element of profit, there is no incentive to maintain population levels.
I have a fundamental question relating to Medway's population and the funding of council services. My reason for asking this is to understand whether there is a benefit to a council to increase its population. Does all the money raised from Council tax paid by Medway residents go to provide the services provided by the council, or is there an element of profit that could be used for instance to pay down council debt or in good times provide new and improved services? If there is an element of profit, there is no incentive to maintain population levels.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2023)
5.11
Representation ID: 502
Received: 19/10/2023
Respondent: Mr Keith Swaden
Each of the site maps should show all developments close to the Medway border. Unless this is included, we do not get a full picture of the potential impact to residents as cross-border developments impact services on both sides. This one is specific to a request from Gravesham but there are others such as the 'Lidsing Garden Community’ on the border with Maidstone and the Medway Valley development across the Medway border with Wouldham, Burham and Eccles. Viewed in isolation, the Medway Plan does not give a true picture of potential developments affecting residents.
Each of the site maps should show all developments close to the Medway border. Unless this is included, we do not get a full picture of the potential impact to residents as cross-border developments impact services on both sides. This one is specific to a request from Gravesham but there are others such as the 'Lidsing Garden Community’ on the border with Maidstone and the Medway Valley development across the Medway border with Wouldham, Burham and Eccles. Viewed in isolation, the Medway Plan does not give a true picture of potential developments affecting residents.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2023)
5.30
Representation ID: 503
Received: 19/10/2023
Respondent: Mr Keith Swaden
Just because these suburban sites are easier and cheaper to develop is not an excuse for prioritising them. In fact what these proposed suburban and rural developments will do is the opposite of the plans stated aim of Medway benefiting from being a network of centres that reflect the distinct character of its different towns, neighbourhoods and villages. There will be no gaps between neighbourhoods, just a sprawling urban development spreading out from Chatham to Medway's borders. The possible exception to this is the Isle of Grain but this potentially will just be an urban sprawl emanating from Hoo.
Just because these suburban sites are easier and cheaper to develop is not an excuse for prioritising them. In fact what these proposed suburban and rural developments will do is the opposite of the plans stated aim of Medway benefiting from being a network of centres that reflect the distinct character of its different towns, neighbourhoods and villages. There will be no gaps between neighbourhoods, just a sprawling urban development spreading out from Chatham to Medway's borders. The possible exception to this is the Isle of Grain but this potentially will just be an urban sprawl emanating from Hoo.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2023)
Supporting people to lead healthy lives and strengthening our communities
Representation ID: 504
Received: 19/10/2023
Respondent: Mr Keith Swaden
It's laudable to improve the public realm to encourage people out of their cars to walk or cycle whenever possible. I am a great example of someone who will not cycle on the roads but would jump at the chance to cycle to cut out the need for short car trips. However, creating '15 minute neighbourhoods' only addresses the very local need. To encourage many more cycle trips, neighbourhoods, villages and towns have to be connected with walk/cycle paths. This should be done as part of the Medway infrastructure development and should be done ahead of any significant house building.
It's laudable to improve the public realm to encourage people out of their cars to walk or cycle whenever possible. I am a great example of someone who will not cycle on the roads but would jump at the chance to cycle to cut out the need for short car trips. However, creating '15 minute neighbourhoods' only addresses the very local need. To encourage many more cycle trips, neighbourhoods, villages and towns have to be connected with walk/cycle paths. This should be done as part of the Medway infrastructure development and should be done ahead of any significant house building.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2023)
Supporting people to lead healthy lives and strengthening our communities
Representation ID: 505
Received: 19/10/2023
Respondent: Mr Keith Swaden
The plan should somehow show how each proposed housing development will contribute to the current housing shortage in Medway. As stated in the plan, house building is at its fastest ever but this has not fixed the housing shortage. There is no point building thousands of new homes over a 20 year period if there is still a housing shortage every year in the meantime.
The plan should somehow show how each proposed housing development will contribute to the current housing shortage in Medway. As stated in the plan, house building is at its fastest ever but this has not fixed the housing shortage. There is no point building thousands of new homes over a 20 year period if there is still a housing shortage every year in the meantime.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2023)
Supporting people to lead healthy lives and strengthening our communities
Representation ID: 506
Received: 19/10/2023
Respondent: Mr Keith Swaden
Downsizing is a real issue if you want to remain in Medway. Many older people looking to downsize would choose a bungalow if available. However, how many of the proposed new homes would be bungalows? My guess this would be fairly close to zero as they do not make good profits for the developers who just want to pack as many houses on a development to increase profitability. Apartments/ flats are not an equivalent for many people, especially if you have always lived in a house.
Downsizing is a real issue if you want to remain in Medway. Many older people looking to downsize would choose a bungalow if available. However, how many of the proposed new homes would be bungalows? My guess this would be fairly close to zero as they do not make good profits for the developers who just want to pack as many houses on a development to increase profitability. Apartments/ flats are not an equivalent for many people, especially if you have always lived in a house.
