'Are Medway Labour Poised to U-turn on Chatham Docks?' - say Medway Liberal Democrats

Medway Liberal Democrats are disappointed that Peel L&P have once again put in a planning application to close Chatham Docks as a commercial port. Instead of submitting plans for the whole site, Peel L&P  have applied to convert a portion of the site called ‘Basin 3’ into a new employment zone and have just labled the rest of the site as ‘Future Master Plan Area.

Clearly they are hoping that by making a small change, it will get approval and that will open the door to the entire closure of the Docks and conversion of the rest of the site to luxury flats.

Medway Liberal Democrats still fully support the campaign to keep Chatham Docks open as a commercial port. Not only do the businesses there bring in millions of pounds to Medway’s economy, but the port is a vital component for greening our infrastructure and reducing carbon emissions from road transport.

John Castle, Lib Dem spokes person for St Mary’s Island, said, ‘We will continue to fight to keep docks open for the businesses there. However, I’m deeply concerned that this application, along with wavering support of the docks from the Labour administration, that we are sleepwalking into their closure. It doesn’t bode well that a ‘Save Chatham Docks’ poster has recently been taken down from the window of the Labour Council leader’s window.’

Medway Lib Dem will continue to fight to keep Chatham Docks open, and we urge Medway Labour to reaffirm their promise to keep our economically vital docks open.

ENDS