Chatham Docks residential plan outlined in council's local plan
A controversial project to build 2,200 homes at Chatham Docks has been outlined in Medway Council's local plan.The draft document, published on Thursday, also details the council's intention to build 690 homes on enterprise zone Medway City Estate and over 1,000 homes on what previously was green belt land on the outskirts of Strood. The Chatham Waters residential-led development plan has been campaigned against by the group Save Chatham Docks since it was approved in November, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Councillors will discuss the proposals at a special full council meeting on 26 June and vote on whether to put it out to the public to get their views.
Chatham Docks is owned by Peel Waters, which has intentions for regeneration of the site through redevelopment, but this has faced major opposition from the Save Chatham Docks campaign, supported by former Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst.
Housing targets
Medway City Estate will also see major changes as it is to become the Frindsbury Peninsula Opportunity Area (FPOA), meaning approximately 690 homes are to be built.The draft Local Plan believes the high occupancy by businesses in the estate is only because there are a lack of alternative locations.It would mean an almost total change to the site since it began in the 1980s, when it was created as an enterprise zone.
Elsewhere, the Capstone Valley is another location allocated for residential-led development across four sites, totalling up to 3,938 homes.Strood will also see changes to the green belt boundary, as the government's new 'grey belt' designation comes into effect.Up to 1,280 would be allowed across three sites on the edge of Strood on what was previously green belt land, should this version of the Local Plan be approved.
As part of national housing targets, Medway council is required to provide 1,636 homes a year until 2041.The council's planning department budget increased by £320,000 to cover the anticipated cost for the preparation of the Local Plan and it received a £227,962.50 grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in March 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
42 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Massive high street fashion chain plans to shut 33 stores with 71 more at risk - with thousands of jobs on the line
High street chain River Island is planning to shut 33 stores, with 71 more at risk, putting thousands of jobs on the line The chain plans to close 33 of its UK stores, putting hundreds of jobs at risk as part of a major restructuring plan, according to reports. The family-owned retailer is aiming to reverse a recent slump in trading with radical measures, including store closures and re-negotiations on rent. Sky News reports that a further 71 stores face potential closure depending on talks with landlords to secure better rental terms. River Island, which employs around 5,500 people, was founded in 1948 under the Lewis and Chelsea Girl brand before rebranding in the 1980s. It is now headed up by CEO Ben Lewis, the nephew of its founder, who took over his second stint as the head of the family firm in February. He previously held the position for almost a decade before stepping down in 2019. To manage the turnaround, the retailer has brought in advisers from PwC to oversee the restructuring process. The proposals will be put to a vote by creditors, those owed money by River Island, in August, with fresh funding expected to support the business's recovery if approved. The high street giant is among several fashion chains hit hard by weaker consumer spending and fierce competition from cheaper online rivals like Shein. In its latest accounts, River Island reported a £33.2 million loss for 2023, with sales down 19%, highlighting the challenging trading environment. River Island has been contacted for comment. In January, the firm introduced a redundancy programme at its London head office in a bid to save money in the context of increasingly pressured finances. The job cuts affected a range of employees across buying, merchandising and HR, but the total number of losses was not confirmed by the retailer. Company accounts showed the company was £33.2 million in the red for the 12 months to December 30, 2023. It also suffered a 15 percent decline in sales and a 19 percent fall in turnover. The year before, River Island had a total profit of £7.5 million.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Hundreds of jobs at risk as River Island to close 33 stores
Hundreds of jobs are reportedly at risk at River Island as the fashion retailer prepares to shut 33 of its UK stores. The drastic measure is part of a wider restructuring plan designed to combat a recent slump in trading, according to reports from Sky News. The family-owned chain currently operates 230 outlets across the UK. A further 71 stores are also understood to be at risk, with their fate dependent on ongoing discussions with landlords to secure improved rental deals. River Island has reportedly hired advisors from PwC in order to oversee the restructuring process. The retailer, which employs around 5,500 people, was founded in 1948 under the Lewis and Chelsea Girl brand before being renamed in the 1980s. The proposals are set to go to a vote by the firm's creditors – companies or individuals owed money by the retailer – in August. The deal is expected to result in fresh funding being invested into the business in order to help fuel its turnaround. It is among high street fashion chains to have been impacted by weaker consumer spending and competition from cheaper online rivals, such as Shein. River Island fell to a £33.2 million loss in 2023 after sales slid by 19 per cent, according to its most recent set of accounts.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
The Ninja Woodfire Pro XL BBQ is reduced by £185 this weekend - it can cook 40 hotdogs at once (hurry, it's sure to sell out!)
Shoppers cooking for a crowd this summer can score a massive £185 off the Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker. But hurry, this is a limited time deal only. Helping you cook confidently in the heatwave, Ninja's all singing all dancing Woodfire Pro is a large-capacity outdoor electric BBQ grill, smoker and air fryer in one. Powered by electricity but giving you authentic smoky BBQ flavours, 'obsessed' users have hailed it a 'must have for any family'. Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker with Stand & Cover Hello summer! The Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker is now £185 off in a limited time deal on Ninja. The built-in BBQ thermometer gives you perfectly cooked meat, fish, and vegetables every time, and with four ways to cook, you'll get more for your money - including an impressive air fryer. Conveniently, it's powered by electricity, so it's hassle-free and quick to heat up, too. You'll get the top-notch flavouring from the 100 per cent natural woodfire pellets for authentic smoky flavours. £389.99 (save £185) Shop The current heatwave has us all longing for al fresco dinners, and if you're prepping for a BBQ over the heatwave then this Ninja deal is not to be missed. Shoppers are rushing to buy Ninja's large-capacity outdoor electric BBQ grill, smoker and air fryer for a massive £185 off. That's free pellets, side table and rib rack worth over £60 too. Ideally suited for larger families and hosting, the all-in-one outdoor cooker can fit up to 10 burgers, 40 hotdogs, two full racks of ribs, up to six steaks, or two 3kg chickens. In short, the supersize BBQ grill has all you need to wow any visitors over the summer, no matter how many friends or family get wind of your hosting plans. It also offers several features that set itself apart from traditional models. Conveniently, it's powered by electricity so it's hassle free and quick to heat up but you'll still get the covetable smoky BBQ flavours from the 100 per cent natural woodfire pellets. And if being in control of the BBQ makes you slightly nervous then the Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker has your back. If you've never been too confident of getting the temperature right on a BBQ then the thanks to the Ninja build-in probe there's no need to worry about undercooking chicken or overcooking steaks. Simply insert the digital probe into your food, then select your food type and perfect finish, from rare to well done. Easy. 'Fantastic BBQ' raved one impressed Ninja shopper. 'And all the other things it does. All singing, all dancing. We haven't used the oven since it arrived!'. Shoppers have also agreed the Woodfire Pro XL trumps gas barbecues too, with one writing: 'Received my grill a couple of weeks ago, have grilled burgers, roasted a pork joint in both occasions cooked perfectly. Smoker works really well and the probe is terrific. Always had gas barbeques in the past but this grill is clean and convenient to use loving it so far.' And it doesn't have to be used for meat. Shoppers have praised the Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker for cooking all kinds of foods, and in different ways thanks to the smoke, air fry and roast settings. 'The best jacket potatoes I've ever tasted have come from this' added a third. 'So soft inside and lovely crisp outside. So easy to use and the pellets just add the most delicious flavour. The whole family are obsessed with this.'
