'Medway Liberal Democrats strongly oppose re-development for Chatham Docks'

The decision by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, not to call-in the outline planning application for Chatham Docks comes with long-lasting consequences. There are over 800 jobs at risk at Chatham Docks and this decision deepens the dispute between the tenants and the landlord over the long-term future of the site for manufacturing. 

It is shocking that Medway Labour - who backed keeping Chatham Docks before they became the leaders of the Council in May 2023 - have approved the change of use for the southern side of Basin 3 and through the local plan are enabling the northern side to be re-developed for housing. Medway Council planning committee had already approved the application, so there is no further barrier to this change of use.

‘Medway Council can reach its housing target without putting the jobs at risk. Medway Liberal Democrats strongly opposed re-development, and were the only party in Medway that have laid out alternative sites that more than cover the required housing needed to meet the target.’

Chatham Docks not only employs over 800 workers, earning above the national average, but contributes strongly to the nation’s wealth as well as the local economy. There would be further positive benefits to our community and economy if the industries felt that they could continue in the Docks. The site is also environmentally beneficial. The use of the river to import raw materials and transport finished manufactured goods keeps traffic off the roads and lowers air pollution in an area that is already inside an Air Quality Management Area.

 Medway Liberal Democrats have consistently opposed re-development of Chatham Docks. We called on the Secretary of State to call in the decision and her failure to do so shows that Labour both at local and national level cannot be relied upon to safeguard the jobs of workers in Medway. Spokesperson John Castle said, "First Labour councillors failed to listen to the community and voted to approve the application, now the Secretary of State has declined to recognise the importance of manufacturing being retained in the UK and maintaining operational commercial dockyards. Labour have failed to protect jobs, failed to enhance the local community and economy and are failing to make the best use of the river for environmentally sound commercial use".

ENDS