The site
The former BP oil refinery site on the Isle of Grain has a deep water frontage to the Medway Estuary and rail access.
It is largely vacant but includes Thamesport, the third largest container port in the UK and fastest growing container port in the south-east, with a capacity of 400,000 containers a year (currently operational at 200,000).
A 385-hectare site is available for employment uses.
The principal landowners are Lattice Property Holdings and Thamesport (Hutchinson Port Holdings).
The planning position
The Thames Gateway Planning Framework identifies the Isle of Grain as an important opportunity for industrial development and further port expansion. In the local plan, the land is allocated for general industrial use (B2) and warehousing (B8), subject to improvements in the local road system.
The 1997 first review of the local plan encourages landowners to market the site as a strategic opportunity for a range of industrial uses, while seeking to allow for future port expansion.
Current activities and opportunities
Lattice Property Holdings has recently prepared a marketing brief and is seeking to put together a development plan.
Key issues:
- Improvements to the A228 and rail link are essential to realise the site’s full potential.
- Contributions will be needed towards road and rail improvements.
- Development must not encroach on or adversely affect sites of special scientific interest and special protection areas.
- Contamination issues need to be addressed if the site is to maximise its development potential.
- Improvements to the rail infrastructure are needed to encourage the maximum use of rail for the movement of freight.
- Medway Council, partner organisations and other stakeholders are investigating the best ways to continue regeneration of this area.
Maps and a plan of the Isle of Grain site (pdf 1,025KB) are available to be downloaded. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to use this file. If you do not have it on your computer, please use our advice page.
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