Medway Local Plan (Regulation 19, 2025)

Support

Representation ID: 4495

Received: 04/08/2025

Respondent: Mrs Elizabeth Poynter

We need to dictate higher standards from anyone building. The UK housing stock pays lip service in comparison to houses being built in other countries.
As the sunniest area in the UK, whole roof solar, working alongside tight insulation and heat pumps could significantly reduce household bills. Orientation of houses and apartment blocks needs to be considered seriously to make the most use of these assets.
Apartment blocks must now make use of solar with new systems available, including retro-fitting where necessary.

Support

Representation ID: 4496

Received: 04/08/2025

Respondent: Mrs Elizabeth Poynter

Could you explain in detail how the plan mitigates rising sea-levels?
Lots of greenery helps to lower temperatures so maintained mass planting is essential.
How do we protect our food growing areas?
Marsh areas can also absorb and slow the influx of water meaning we need to allow buffer zones between housing and waterfront.
Garages underground and at ground floor level may also protect housing and business.

Support

Representation ID: 4497

Received: 04/08/2025

Respondent: Mrs Elizabeth Poynter

A mix of housing stock is ideal but can we also begin to add in small houses and flats on larger plots, allowing for smaller families who supplement by growing their own.
More community allotments would also really help as the waiting lists for these are huge and locations limited.
Balconies could be bigger, making the most of outdoor living and growing, even for those who cannot afford a house with a garden.

Object

Representation ID: 4498

Received: 04/08/2025

Respondent: Mrs Elizabeth Poynter

Legally compliant? Yes

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? Yes

When we have built on everything that is possible, what happens a then?
Is there a saturation point that the government accepts written into documentation?

The plan talks about local character but the general merge into one urbanisation removes any local character other than historic.

Support

Representation ID: 4499

Received: 04/08/2025

Respondent: Mrs Elizabeth Poynter

There is much empty retail and industry space lying empty, in all towns and industrial sites.
Can we begin to mix housing into these areas and more business plots into housing areas? This seems to be encouraging growth in other areas and countries.

Support

Representation ID: 4500

Received: 04/08/2025

Respondent: Mrs Elizabeth Poynter

This place you described sounds incredible! It is just not what I see or hear as I move about Medway and talk to most Medway residents.
But if this is the picture of future Medway to come then I am all-in.
Can I ask for clarification on where the community-owned, local energy infrastructures are?
Can I also ask where the reduction in car use figures come from?

Support

Representation ID: 4501

Received: 04/08/2025

Respondent: Mrs Elizabeth Poynter

Are you able to mandate house builders to put grey water systems into each house plan?
Will it also be integral to the plans that each building collects rainwater for later use rather than homeowners retro-fitting these at their own expense?

Support

Representation ID: 4502

Received: 04/08/2025

Respondent: Mrs Elizabeth Poynter

SuDs work brilliantly and look amazing in the local area if planted well.
But we also need more available water for active use so grey water systems and rainwater harvesting methods need to become normal everyday practices rather than the things ‘weird eco people’ do to their homes.
Builders need to buy-in to the necessity of incorporating them into standard designs.

Support

Representation ID: 4503

Received: 04/08/2025

Respondent: Mrs Elizabeth Poynter

Can specific renewable energy standards be added, over and above govt legislation?
Can the council add requirements on the number of solar panels expected, battery storage, greywater and rainwater systems etc?

Support

Representation ID: 4504

Received: 04/08/2025

Respondent: Mrs Elizabeth Poynter

This would be greatly appreciated.
Many of the shop fronts in our towns make the area look cheap and rundown but with some careful design could look historic/vintage/retro or simply classy!