Medway Local Plan (Regulation 19, 2025)

Support

Representation ID: 4394

Received: 26/07/2025

Respondent: Mrs Clare Marshall

The principle of planning is essentail. I just wish that the the timing had worked for the Making Space for Nature plan to be incorporated, as this has already been through consultation with Medway residents and would help avoid conflicts between housing and the natural environment.

Support

Representation ID: 4395

Received: 26/07/2025

Respondent: Mrs Clare Marshall

To consider all elements together is essential.

Object

Representation ID: 4396

Received: 26/07/2025

Respondent: Mrs Clare Marshall

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

My objection is that in 2025 we should be considering nature at least equally with people when making decisions that impact our environment. Long term putting people first will result in people losing out when the biodiversity and volume of wildlife is dimminished. Decisions like this is why Medway has declared a climate emergency due to all the past "people first" decisions, which ave satisfied the shorter term political needs.

Support

Representation ID: 4397

Received: 26/07/2025

Respondent: Mrs Clare Marshall

Transport and parking. If we can't get rid of the cars then we need enough parking. Currently the council is proposing establishing a bus only area at stop 837. The area around this is already highly stressed regarding parking as the garages are too small to put modern cars in.
As a volunteer at Riverside Country park it is obvious how important parks are to the local community especially those that cannot afford days out with their families.

Support

Representation ID: 4398

Received: 26/07/2025

Respondent: Mrs Clare Marshall

Flooding - the 4th September 2023 once in 70 years storm showed that houses never at risk in practice before are now at risk.
Sewage - now the impact of adding housing without ensuring that sufficient sewage treatment is available is understood Medway needs a significant upgrade to our sewage treatment facilities first.
Water - housing should be designed with grey water re-use and water butts for garden use. Drought is becoming more frequent and will continue to do so.
Energy efficiency is essential not just for deprived households.

Support

Representation ID: 4399

Received: 26/07/2025

Respondent: Mrs Clare Marshall

When considering raising existing sea defences consider that the earth works are critical wildlife sanctuaries for pollinators as they have been pesticide free for decades. The building up of such defences will displace these valuable pollinators, so consideration is needed to create habitat alongside for the pollinators to use whilst the improvements are being made. Otherwise we are at risk of losing these valuables insects. I beewalk the sea defenses alongside Motney Mill, which host many pollinators.

Support

Representation ID: 4400

Received: 26/07/2025

Respondent: Mrs Clare Marshall

I think that if any area with a designation for wildlife is built on there are several negative consequences. 1. determint to the wildlife, 2. detriment to any volunteers and professionals involved in protecting those areas 3. lack of trust that future designations will be honoured 4. volunteers less willing to come forward if past work has been destroyed for development 5. negative impact on our environment. Darland banks is showing loss of biodiversity already and building near it will accelerate this.

Support

Representation ID: 4401

Received: 26/07/2025

Respondent: Mrs Clare Marshall

Buses - no reliable serves to Parkwood (u3a members do not trust them to come to meetings). The road network is not resilient - the A249 roadworks proved this will traffic backing up on the A2 and through the Rainham housing areas. Those working 12 hour shifts can't get to work and back will sufficient time e.g. my daughter goes form Rainham to Snodland.Similarly, Rainham to Kemsley is not supported by robust options for buses or trains. Lower Thames crossing planned destruction of woodland and vintage trees is unforgiveable. Planting sapplings does not replace vintage trees and their ecosystems.

Support

Representation ID: 4402

Received: 26/07/2025

Respondent: Mrs Clare Marshall

My adult children still live at home. Even children with good deposits and good jobs cannot afford to rent or buy locally. However, this is also difficult because a house of 4 people working in 4 different directions currently need 4 cars, so parking is needed to support houses having more adults than they were designed for. Poor quality housing should not exist,everyone deserves a safe, minimum quality of housing.

Support

Representation ID: 4403

Received: 26/07/2025

Respondent: Mrs Clare Marshall

This is about pay and opportunity to have a career. People do not desire to commute daily into London, they have to for many careers and salary. However, many careers are just not available in Medway. I used to be a Quality Manager in the paper industry and my husband commuted into London as a Software Architect. Both well paid jobs, but no local equivalents. My son with an aerospace engineering degree is having to leave the area for work. Good local jobs using the skills gained in local universities should be part of the focus.