Medway Local Plan (Regulation 18, 2024)

I am concerned that the term "brownfield site" can be used to avoid scrutiny as people assume that "brownfield sites" are derelict and there is no downside to their development. I note that SG03 appears to include the development at Chatham Docks and would include the closing down of thriving businesses that provide valuable employment in primary industries as well as secondary employment for related service industries. There appears to be plenty of spare capacity south of basin 1 and basin 2 for the sort of light commercial operations that are proposed for basin 3 (there is an undeveloped pier and machine shop 8 remains undeveloped. The Natwest building has been abandoned and much of the office space south of basin 2 is empty). Basin 3 is an important and valuable piece of infrastructure that should be maintained. The businesses at the docks will not commit spending money on maintenance and development until they have security of tenure.

The government together with local councils must take responsibility for "affordable housing" rather than attempt to pass the responsibility on to the private sector. The housing crisis has been created by the policy of successive governments to sell off the council housing stock and their failure to replace the housing stock that has been sold. Only by creating an adequate supply of social housing can we stop the continuing spiral of increasing rents and house prices. People in "affordable housing" also need green space and access to sports and other recreational facilities - these must be provided.