Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
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Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Policy DM6: Sustainable Design and Construction
Representation ID: 3727
Received: 08/09/2024
Respondent: Miss Rachael Selleck
The proposed development in Allhallows does not adequately address the climate emergency and could exacerbate existing environmental issues, contradicting Medway’s Climate Action Plan and Corporate Strategy. The plan fails to consider the whole life cycle of buildings and their impact on the climate. Additionally, the proposal overlooks the need for facilitating working from home, as Allhallows already suffers from poor broadband and internet services. Increasing the population will only strain these resources further, worsening connectivity and impacting residents’ ability to work remotely effectively. The development should address these concerns to align with climate and connectivity goals.
The proposed development in Allhallows does not adequately address the climate emergency and could exacerbate existing environmental issues, contradicting Medway’s Climate Action Plan and Corporate Strategy. The plan fails to consider the whole life cycle of buildings and their impact on the climate. Additionally, the proposal overlooks the need for facilitating working from home, as Allhallows already suffers from poor broadband and internet services. Increasing the population will only strain these resources further, worsening connectivity and impacting residents’ ability to work remotely effectively. The development should address these concerns to align with climate and connectivity goals.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Policy DM7: Shopfront Design and Security
Representation ID: 3732
Received: 08/09/2024
Respondent: Miss Rachael Selleck
Allhallows currently lacks sufficient shops and facilities to serve the existing population, and the existing stores are often too small to meet the community's needs. Instead of prioritising more housing developments, which further strain local resources, the focus should be on enhancing and expanding local shops and essential facilities. Investing in these areas will better support the current residents and improve the quality of life in the village, addressing the real needs of the community rather than exacerbating existing issues with additional housing.
Allhallows currently lacks sufficient shops and facilities to serve the existing population, and the existing stores are often too small to meet the community's needs. Instead of prioritising more housing developments, which further strain local resources, the focus should be on enhancing and expanding local shops and essential facilities. Investing in these areas will better support the current residents and improve the quality of life in the village, addressing the real needs of the community rather than exacerbating existing issues with additional housing.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Policy S8: Historic Environment
Representation ID: 3740
Received: 08/09/2024
Respondent: Miss Rachael Selleck
To ensure that Medway’s historic environment continues to contribute to the area, the Council must prioritise the conservation, enhancement, and enjoyment of its heritage assets. This commitment is essential for preserving the distinctiveness and character of Medway’s historic sites. By focusing on these aspects, the Council can protect and celebrate the rich history that defines the area, ensuring that future developments do not undermine the historic value. Upholding this commitment will help maintain Medway's cultural heritage, providing lasting benefits to the community and preserving the unique character of the region for future generations.
To ensure that Medway’s historic environment continues to contribute to the area, the Council must prioritise the conservation, enhancement, and enjoyment of its heritage assets. This commitment is essential for preserving the distinctiveness and character of Medway’s historic sites. By focusing on these aspects, the Council can protect and celebrate the rich history that defines the area, ensuring that future developments do not undermine the historic value. Upholding this commitment will help maintain Medway's cultural heritage, providing lasting benefits to the community and preserving the unique character of the region for future generations.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Policy DM9: Heritage Assets
Representation ID: 3742
Received: 08/09/2024
Respondent: Miss Rachael Selleck
Heritage assets are a vital part of Medway’s cultural identity and must be protected as a top priority. The preservation of these assets ensures that the historical and architectural character of the area is maintained for future generations. Medway Council should focus on safeguarding these valuable resources by implementing robust conservation measures and integrating heritage considerations into all development plans. Prioritising the protection of heritage assets not only respects the past but also enhances the community's sense of place and identity, contributing to the overall quality of life and attracting visitors who value historical significance.
Heritage assets are a vital part of Medway’s cultural identity and must be protected as a top priority. The preservation of these assets ensures that the historical and architectural character of the area is maintained for future generations. Medway Council should focus on safeguarding these valuable resources by implementing robust conservation measures and integrating heritage considerations into all development plans. Prioritising the protection of heritage assets not only respects the past but also enhances the community's sense of place and identity, contributing to the overall quality of life and attracting visitors who value historical significance.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Policy S9: Star Hill to Sun Pier
Representation ID: 3746
Received: 08/09/2024
Respondent: Miss Rachael Selleck
I fully support the Star Hill to Sun Pier Development Framework, which includes the Star Hill to Sun Pier Conservation Area and is designated as a Heritage Action Zone (HAZ). This framework's objective to rejuvenate the area as a vibrant social and cultural destination is commendable. Importantly, it balances this goal with a commitment to preserving and enhancing the unique historic interest and character of the neighbourhood. This approach ensures that while the area evolves and becomes more dynamic, its historical significance remains intact, enriching the community and respecting its heritage.
I fully support the Star Hill to Sun Pier Development Framework, which includes the Star Hill to Sun Pier Conservation Area and is designated as a Heritage Action Zone (HAZ). This framework's objective to rejuvenate the area as a vibrant social and cultural destination is commendable. Importantly, it balances this goal with a commitment to preserving and enhancing the unique historic interest and character of the neighbourhood. This approach ensures that while the area evolves and becomes more dynamic, its historical significance remains intact, enriching the community and respecting its heritage.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Policy DM10: Conservation Areas
Representation ID: 3750
Received: 08/09/2024
Respondent: Miss Rachael Selleck
The issue lies with Medway Council, as many developments fail to genuinely benefit the community. Often, the minimal advantages provided do not justify the high costs involved. For example, while the policy states that "development within a Conservation Area will only be permitted where it contributes positively to the conservation or enhancement of the character, appearance, and distinctiveness of the area," this is not always reflected in practice. Many projects undermine the area's character and offer little real benefit to local residents. Medway Council needs to ensure that developments align with conservation goals and truly serve the community’s needs.
The issue lies with Medway Council, as many developments fail to genuinely benefit the community. Often, the minimal advantages provided do not justify the high costs involved. For example, while the policy states that "development within a Conservation Area will only be permitted where it contributes positively to the conservation or enhancement of the character, appearance, and distinctiveness of the area," this is not always reflected in practice. Many projects undermine the area's character and offer little real benefit to local residents. Medway Council needs to ensure that developments align with conservation goals and truly serve the community’s needs.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Policy DM11: Scheduled Monuments and Archaeological Sites
Representation ID: 3754
Received: 08/09/2024
Respondent: Miss Rachael Selleck
I fully support the policy that development adversely affecting Scheduled Monuments and other important archaeological sites should not be permitted. Additionally, where development impacts a heritage asset with archaeological interest, preservation in-situ should be prioritised. If preservation is not feasible, developers must ensure archaeological excavation and recording are carried out by an approved body, following a Council-approved plan. Given that developers may not always be truthful, it is crucial for the Council to verify these practices and consult local residents, who often possess detailed knowledge about the area, ensuring that the preservation efforts are effective and genuine.
I fully support the policy that development adversely affecting Scheduled Monuments and other important archaeological sites should not be permitted. Additionally, where development impacts a heritage asset with archaeological interest, preservation in-situ should be prioritised. If preservation is not feasible, developers must ensure archaeological excavation and recording are carried out by an approved body, following a Council-approved plan. Given that developers may not always be truthful, it is crucial for the Council to verify these practices and consult local residents, who often possess detailed knowledge about the area, ensuring that the preservation efforts are effective and genuine.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Policy T2: Housing Mix
Representation ID: 3762
Received: 08/09/2024
Respondent: Miss Rachael Selleck
The new housing developments fall short in addressing the diverse needs of the growing and changing population. They offer a limited range of housing types, with most units being small, identical, and featuring tiny gardens and driveways. The uniformity and high cost of these homes are unjustifiable, making them unsustainable for future needs. This lack of variety fails to accommodate different family sizes, lifestyles, and economic backgrounds, and does not support the broader community's requirements. The developments need to incorporate a more diverse and adaptable housing mix to truly meet the evolving demands of the population.
The new housing developments fall short in addressing the diverse needs of the growing and changing population. They offer a limited range of housing types, with most units being small, identical, and featuring tiny gardens and driveways. The uniformity and high cost of these homes are unjustifiable, making them unsustainable for future needs. This lack of variety fails to accommodate different family sizes, lifestyles, and economic backgrounds, and does not support the broader community's requirements. The developments need to incorporate a more diverse and adaptable housing mix to truly meet the evolving demands of the population.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Policy T3: Affordable Housing
Representation ID: 3796
Received: 08/09/2024
Respondent: Miss Rachael Selleck
With the average salary in Medway being £26,000, the new houses being built, priced around £425,000, are clearly unaffordable. These properties, featuring tiny gardens and driveways, are neither practical nor cost-effective. As a result, many housing estates are forced to reduce prices because people cannot afford them, and potential buyers are unwilling to pay such high amounts for inadequate, small homes. The mismatch between the price and the quality of these houses highlights their lack of suitability for the local market, failing to address the real housing needs of the community.
With the average salary in Medway being £26,000, the new houses being built, priced around £425,000, are clearly unaffordable. These properties, featuring tiny gardens and driveways, are neither practical nor cost-effective. As a result, many housing estates are forced to reduce prices because people cannot afford them, and potential buyers are unwilling to pay such high amounts for inadequate, small homes. The mismatch between the price and the quality of these houses highlights their lack of suitability for the local market, failing to address the real housing needs of the community.
Comment
Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)
Policy T4: Supported Housing, Nursing Homes and Older Persons Accommodation
Representation ID: 3809
Received: 08/09/2024
Respondent: Miss Rachael Selleck
Proposing to build in Allhallows overlooks the critical shortage of essential facilities for the elderly. The village has one small nursing home, which very rarely has spaces and will soon close down. The alternative is a similarly inadequate facility in Stoke, which has also faced closure threats for years. There is a notable absence of supported housing and accommodation for older persons. As I live with my parents, both in their 60s and in poor health, the lack of care facilities means I will have to pause my life to care for them, highlighting the urgent need for better provision.
Proposing to build in Allhallows overlooks the critical shortage of essential facilities for the elderly. The village has one small nursing home, which very rarely has spaces and will soon close down. The alternative is a similarly inadequate facility in Stoke, which has also faced closure threats for years. There is a notable absence of supported housing and accommodation for older persons. As I live with my parents, both in their 60s and in poor health, the lack of care facilities means I will have to pause my life to care for them, highlighting the urgent need for better provision.
