Protect Medway's Green Spaces
Medway Liberal Democrats are calling on Medway Council to lead the way to improve environmental standards in the Medway Towns by adopting sensible and consistently applied planning policies which are in line with the surrounding environment. Concentrating new housing developments in areas with good bus and rail links to reduce car usage, and in locations where there is scope to provide decent pedestrian, cycling and public transport connections.
Medway Liberal Democrats are completely opposed to the recently proposed developments at Gibraltar Farm near Capstone. Whilst we recognise the need for new housing, it must be in the right places, where there is good provision of infrastructure.
Martin Rose, Prospective Liberal Democrat Candidate for Watling Ward states - "We need to preserve our open spaces to support our wildlife and also give the local community space for leisure and recreation. The Conservative-run council has not adopted a Local Plan, which means the council has less control over where housing is built in order to meet the Government's housing targets and means developers often win their planning appeals. We call on the council to adopt a Local Plan immediately to help protect the environment whilst providing much-needed housing".
The Council has a responsibility to prepare an up-to-date Local Plan, by adopting a robust green infrastructure plan for Medway which fully supports adaptation to climate change, improves flood management and prevention, improves urban air quality and provides the other important benefits which underpin sustainable economic growth.
We would ensure that people can enjoy recreational activities, and the health and well-being benefits these provide, without causing harm to Medway's most sensitive wildlife habitats and species; improve the connectivity of habitats to provide robust ecological networks; provide new allotments on 'brown build' sites to provide for an increased population.
A Liberal Democrat controlled Council would invest in protecting green infrastructure in Medway, so that future generations have the same level that current residents enjoy.