The next stage for Medway’s Local Plan has been given the green light.
Medway’s ward councillors attended a Special Full Council meeting on Thursday, 26 June to discuss the area's draft Local Plan, which was approved following a vote.
It was the first opportunity - since public consultation was held in 2024 - to view the updated plan, which has evolved since last year to take into consideration feedback from residents.
What’s next?
The public has six weeks from Monday, 30 June to review Medway's final draft of its Local Plan and comment on its legal compliance and soundness, against national planning policy.
The plan and accompanying documents will then be submitted to the Secretary of State following the final public consultation, as part of Regulation 19. It is anticipated, following central Government-led examination, Medway’s Local Plan will be adopted by December 2026.
What is a Local Plan?
It is a legal requirement for a local authority to have a Local Plan in place, and it must address, among other things, how central Government’s housing targets will be met: Medway must provide 24,540 new homes by 2041 – that's 1,636 homes a year.
Medway’s draft Local Plan also sets out the infrastructure requirements to meet the expected growth, as well as the anticipated pressures on existing services, transport, schools, health and community facilities.
Medway’s updated Local Plan
The Local Plan is a comprehensive set of documents which provides a wide range of evidence to detail the identified constraints and opportunities, as well as assessments of a variety of potential sites.
Sites for development across Medway include urban, suburban and rural, with regeneration in urban centres and waterfront sites delivering approximately 40 per cent of the planned growth in Medway. This includes Chatham, Gillingham and Strood, with the increased footfall in the town centres supporting the local businesses and economy and helping to revitalise our town centres.
The plans include an opportunity to plan the regeneration of Medway City Estate, a site surrounded by waterfront views and history, including an opportunity to address flood protection in response to climate change pressures. At Gillingham Waterfront, an opportunity is provided to extend the riverside walk effectively providing for an almost comprehensive riverside walk from the M2 motorway bridge right the way through to Riverside Country park, taking in Rochester Riverside, Chatham Maritime and the Strand.
Around 30 per cent of new homes will be developed on rural areas, such as sites close to the larger villages on the Hoo peninsula. This will be supported by investment in new services and infrastructure.
Medway Council has liaised closely with neighbouring authorities to carefully understand their growth plans and determine what impact this could have on Medway (as a whole) and to surrounding land. These discussions have also contributed to Medway’s updated plans.
A cross-border development spanning Gravesham and Strood is proposed by both authorities, working together to provide new homes, including affordable, as well as the required additional services, such as schools and community facilities.
In addition, following the approval last year of the Maidstone Local Plan Review with proposals for 2,000 homes in Lidsing Garden Community, as well as recognising the planning appeals allowed at East Hill and Gibraltar Farm, Medway has been liaising with the neighbouring borough about its initial concerns around infrastructure pressures.
With Maidstone's plans pushing forward and including improved roads, Medway’s plans respond to this change and seek to coordinate the delivery and design of development, as well as protecting important ecological areas such as the Darland Banks and providing for the necessary infrastructure and services needed.
The Local Plan doesn’t just identify sites for development, but also plans for types of new homes needed including affordable and social rent, as well as starter homes, quality homes for down sizers to free up valuable family homes and provision for the elderly.
The plan includes a unique opportunity for a high-quality development to the north of Rainham, allocated for a small and medium sized (SME) housebuilder consortium, that will improve the choice of housing and support the local economy, with the development informed by a unique rural design code providing for development that respects its setting.
A vision for sustainable growth in Medway
Cllr Simon Curry, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Strategic Regeneration, said: “The Local Plan is a comprehensive document which takes many factors into consideration, including feedback received from residents and businesses during our previous public consultations. Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit formal feedback, which has helped to shape the plan that was approved by councillors last night.
“Medway’s Local Plan sets out our vision for how Medway can grow sustainably, striking a balance between the need for development of homes and jobs, whilst also looking to protect Medway’s wonderful natural and historic environment.
“New developments are required to meet the housing target set by Government. We have carefully considered all feedback and the options available to determine where’s best for the growth to go. However, that being said, we are not complacent and recognise that with new homes there is a need for new or improved infrastructure to be provided at appropriate times within the development. We will be working hard to not only allocate Section 106 funding from developments into communities, but to lobby Government and other relevant bodies for more support to provide new road networks, schools, health facilities and more to ensure Medway thrives as well as grows.”
Local Plan information events
The public events will give you the chance to look at the proposals and speak to members of Medway Council's Planning team. 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:
- Rochester – Corn Exchange – Monday, 30 June, 4-7pm
- Stood – 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