Community infrastructure is the facilities which help make places work better. It's what communities need to thrive. It enables people to meet, learn, be healthy, access information, get help and move around the places in which they live and work.
It’s what makes communities special. It's why people want to live in the Hoo Peninsula. It’s the places where local people come together, the cultural events and activities that people enjoy, the sports provision that enables local people to be active and enjoy life.
Community infrastructure should not just include the community facilities defined in planning. It should reflect the history of Hoo, its landscape, clubs, pubs and open spaces.
We're currently running a number of public drop-in events during May 2024.
Why we need a community infrastructure plan
We have commissioned PRD, Augarde & Partners and Urban Silence to undertake a study to consider all aspects of community life and services for the residents, businesses and local groups on the Peninsula, as well as the current and future needs of the population.
A new community infrastructure plan to improve services for residents across the Peninsula will be created. Focusing on community, culture and leisure infrastructure, the new plan will provide a clear outline of where investments in the community are needed. The plan will also show how these can be delivered to address and support the physical, economic and social transformation of the area.
This will ultimately inform the new Local Plan, as well as future resource allocations for the area.
We cannot create a community infrastructure framework without listening to local people living, working and studying on the Hoo Peninsula.
To do this, we’re creating a community panel to work with the project team to co-design the infrastructure framework. This could include sharing what existing community facilities make the Hoo Peninsula special and identifying priorities for the future.
What co-design is
Co-design is a process that shares knowledge and power with local people, enabling them to work with the project team and inform recommendations for the future.
For this project, the community panel with be co-designing the community infrastructure framework with the team. This will mean the voice of local people is at the heart of plans for the future.
Getting involved
Our consultants have been running workshops with a focus group of 50 residents across the Peninsula.
Drop-in session are running during May, that are available to anyone. You will not need to book, just turn up.
These sessions give people who live, work, study and visit the Hoo Peninsula the chance to:
- find out more about the Community Infrastructure Framework
- share ideas.
Drop-in session dates
Cliffe Woods
- Date: Friday 10 May 2024
- Time: 6pm to 8pm
- Location: Cliffe Woods Community Centre, Parkside, Cliffe Woods, Rochester, ME3 8JF.
Hoo Library
- Date: Saturday 11 May 2024
- Time: 9am to 11am
- Location: Hoo Library, 24 Church Street, Hoo, Rochester, ME3 9AL.
Stoke Village Hall
- Date: Saturday 11 May 2024
- Time: 12pm to 2pm
- Location: Stoke Village Hall, 36A Grain Road, Lower Stoke, Rochester, Kent, ME3 9RE.
High Halstow Memorial Hall
- Date: Saturday 11 May 2024
- Time: 3pm to 5pm
- Location: High Halstow Memorial Hall, The Street, High Halstow, Rochester, ME3 8SQ.
Grain Village Hall
- Date: Sunday 12 May 2024
- Time: 10am to 12pm
- Location: Grain Village Hall, Isle of Grain, Rochester, ME3 0BY.
Chattenden Community Centre
- Date: Thursday 16 May 2024
- Time: 6pm to 8pm
- Location: Chattenden Community Centre, Swinton Avenue, Chattenden, Rochester, ME3 8PH.