A special meeting of Medway Council took place Thursday 26th June to discuss and vote on the draft Local Plan – a 475 page blueprint that will determine where new homes, businesses, and infrastructure go from now until 2040.
Why This Matters (Even If You Didn’t Know Town Planning Was a Thing)
- Homes vs Jobs: The plan outlines over 24,000 new homes and based on national averages that would be 55,000 new residents, but it lacks clear plans for job creation. Reform UK spoke up about this imbalance – highlighting the risk of losing vital employment hubs like Chatham Docks and Medway City Estate.
- Infrastructure Shortfalls: Funding for roads, schools, healthcare, transport – everything needed before those homes arrive – is not yet secured. That means relying on wishful thinking or government bidding.
- Heritage at Risk: Places like Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham, and Strood – with rich industrial and maritime histories – may lose their unique character under this pressure-filled development.
Councillors David Finch (Reform UK), Cllr Michael Pearce (Independent Group) and Cllr George Perfect (Conservative) highlighted these concerns during the meeting in response.
What I Said (Cllr David Finch)
- I warned that the Plan prioritises housing over jobs, services, local identity, and sustainability.
- I called out the demolition plans for Chatham Docks (800+ jobs, £170m/year contribution), questioning why we’d put that at risk.
- I exposed how infrastructure funding is still “dependent on future bids” and effectively unplanned.
- And I reminded the chamber of past commitments from the Council leader and deputy leader to protect Chatham Docks – yet the current Plan seems to ignore those pledges.
Other Key Speeches
Cllr Michael Pearce
- Focused on legal deficiencies: missing or incomplete evidence, no final Infrastructure Delivery Plan, absent Habitats Regulations Assessment, and an unsigned Duty to Cooperate.
- Warned that without these foundational documents, the Plan is technically unsound and unable to pass the next inspection stage.
Cllr George Perfect
- Covered concerns about green spaces, heritage, and community impact.
- Emphasised the lack of detail on school places, GP services, and public transport – while thousands of new homes are promised.
- Challenged the assumption that just because a site is allocated, the support services will magically appear.
What Happens Next And What You Can Do
- Consultation Phase (Reg 19): The Plan will be published for public feedback on 30th June 2025. This is your chance to raise objections on jobs, infrastructure, heritage, or environment.
- Planning Inspector Review: The draft will be examined under strict rules. If it still falls short, it can be rejected.
- Potential Revisions or Rejections: Medway Council may have to return to the drawing board or slim the plan.
- Local Government Reorganisation: Legislative changes could shift planning powers to a wider Kent authority, meaning any Medway plan might be merged or reset.
Why This Matters to You
- If you live in Medway, this Plan affects where you live, work, and learn.
- If your family lives or works here, it determines the quality of schools, GP access, roads, and public transport.
- If you value our history, environment, and local identity – it decides what gets protected and what doesn’t.
What You Can Do Right Now
- Read the draft once it’s released (go to Medway Council – Medway Local Plan 2041 – Have Your Say).
- Take part in the Reg 19 Consultation – Submit your views – you don’t need to write an essay; bullet points are fine.
- Join our monthly meetings hosted by Reform – Rochester & Strood to find out how to have your say effectively and keep up to date with local issues.
You can also attend Local Plan information events being held by the Council:
Rochester – Corn Exchange – Monday, 30 June, 4-7pm
The public events will give you the chance to look at the proposals and speak to members of Medway Council’s Planning team directly. There will also be copies of the consultation booklet available to take (on a first come, first served basis).
All residents are welcome to attend – no booking is required:
Strood – St Nicholas Church – Tuesday, 1 July – 10am-1pm
Chatham – Pentagon Shopping Centre in former Wilko unit – Thursday, 3 July, 11am-2pm
Hoo St Werburgh – Hundred of Hoo Academy – Tuesday, 8 July, 5.30-8.30pm
Gillingham – Medway Park Sports Centre – Thursday, 10 July, 4-7pm
Lordswood – leisure centre – Tuesday, 15 July, 4-7pm
Rainham – St Margaret’s Millennium Centre – Wednesday, 16 July, 5-8pm
Thursday’s debate wasn’t the end – it was just the beginning. Reform UK will continue to challenge this Plan at every stage. We want to ensure the homes Medway needs are delivered with jobs, infrastructure, and heritage – not at their expense.
Stay tuned and stay involved.
Links:
- Medway Local Plan 2041
- Medway Council – Medway Local Plan 2041 – Have Your Say
- KentOnline – Heated Medway Council meeting about draft Local Plan sees accusations of betrayal over Chatham Docks, but approval for public consultation
- Local Authority – Medway Council approves Local Plan for first time since 2003
- BBC – Medway local plan to be put to public scrutiny
- Local Authority – The Local Plan, once more – by Ed Jennings
You can watch the full meeting here: