Hearing session livestreams and recordings
The inspectors will be leading the hearing sessions for the Medway Local Plan Examination. The hearings will be livestreamed and recorded.
Each hearing session will consider a specific topic based on the inspectors' Matters, Issues and Questions (MIQs). Hearing sessions will be run as structured discussions led by the inspectors.
All relevant representations and statements will have been read beforehand by the inspectors and it's anticipated that participants will do the same. Review documents relating to the hearing sessions.
Anyone can attend a hearing as an observer, but only those who have made a representation have a right to speak and take part. View the Inspectors' Examination Guidance Notes (paragraphs 34 to 41) for more details about who can take part.
Taking part in hearing sessions
If you have made a relevant representation and would like to take part in the hearing sessions, you need to notify the programme officer by email by 5pm on:
- Thursday 20 August 2026 for phase 1 hearing sessions
- Thursday 22 October 2026 for phase 2 hearing sessions.
You'll need to tell the programme officer:
- which session or sessions you'd like to take part in
- your relevant representations.
If you do not contact the programme officer by the dates above, it will be assumed you do not wish to take part in the hearing sessions.
You can contact the programme officer by emailing louise@poservices.co.uk.
Hearing sessions details
Hearing sessions for the Local Plan Examination will take place in 2 phases.
Phase 2 sessions
- Location: Hessenthaler Suite, MEMS Priestfield Stadium, Redfearn Avenue, Gillingham, Kent ME7 2PE
- Dates:
- Tuesday 17 November 2026 to Friday 20 September 2026
- Tuesday 24 November 2026 to Friday 27 November 2026.
Hearing sessions phase 2 documents
Please review the inspectors' hearing session documents before the session:
- MLP/ED34 - Inspectors’ letter to Council - Phase 2 hearings
- MLP/ED35 - Inspectors’ Matters, issues and Questions Phase 2 Hearings
- MLP/ED36 - Draft Hearings Programme V2 1 October 2026.
Phase 1 sessions
- Location: St John's Chatham, 18 Railway Street, Chatham, ME4 4JT
- Dates:
Agendas - Phase 1
- Matter 1: Legal and Procedural
- Matter 2: Spatial Development Strategy and Strategic Objectives
- Matter 3: Housing Needs (excluding Gypsy and Travellers matters)
- Matter 4: Built environment
- Matter 5: Green Belt
- Matter 6: Natural Environment
- Matter 7: Economic Development
- Matter 8: Retail, Town Centres and Leisure.
View the Draft Programme with Participants (V7) 2 October 2026
View daily list of participants in hearing sessions 2 October 2026
Phase 1 Hearing Statements Matters 1-8 can be accessed on the Hearing Statements page.
Hearing session phase 1 documents
Please review the inspectors' hearing session documents before the session: