Decision details

To adopt development briefs for sites at Hoo St Werburgh and Wainscott as supplementary planning guidance and the Gillingham Waterfront site (Akzo Nobel) as a departure from the Medway Local Plan

The Cabinet did not approve the development brief for East of Bells Lane, Hoo St Werburgh as supplementary planning guidance in light of representations received from local interested parties including the parish council.
The Cabinet agreed that the development brief for Wainscott be adopted as supplementary planning guidance.
The Cabinet recommended to Council the adoption of the development brief for Gillingham Waterfront as a departure from the Medway Local Plan.

The Cabinet's decision not to approve the development brief for East of Bells Lane, Hoo St Werburgh was based upon representations received from local interested parties and the parish council. Whilst making this decision the Cabinet noted that, should development proceed at the site in future it may not be afforded the protection that it might have had, had a development brief been in place and that this had been communicated to the parish council.The Wainscott proposal represented a substantial extension to existing settlements and will help meet Medway's housing requirements, although detailed issues will need to be addressed at the planning application stage. The development brief will ensure that development is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Medway Local Plan and that the impact of the development on the local community is properly addressed by the developers.Gillingham Pier and the Akzo land is a significant site, which can contribute to the regeneration of Medway Waterfront. A clear understanding of the way forward is needed to maximise opportunities for employment and high quality mixed use and to attract inward investment to the area.