Agenda item

Question A – Vivienne Parker, of Chatham, asked thePortfolio Holder for Climate Change and Strategic Regeneration, Councillor Curry, the following:

“As you may be aware a planning application has been lodged to build 500 homes on the site of the old gas works in the Strand, but unfortunately the ground survey has revealed the presence of cyanide and asbestos amongst other hydrocarbon type pollutants. 

Can the Council confirm this site is on the highly polluted sites register.”

In response, Councillor Curry said that the site was not currently recorded on a register. More detailed information on this location could be obtained by following the process on the Council’s website and Councillor Curry would ask the Council’s Democratic Services team to contact the questioner with the specific weblink.

The site owner recognised the contamination issues on site and had experience of dealing with similar former gas holder sites elsewhere in Kent. In these cases, where planning permission had been granted, the contamination issue had been dealt with appropriately and the developments had successfully been delivered.

Councillor Curry had met with the developer and they had provided reassurance of their expertise in this field. Medway had a long history of redeveloping contaminated sites and he drew attention to Rochester Riverside, which was one example. The Medway Local Plan, which was currently in the Regulation 19 consultation stage, had identified that approximately 40% of development for new homes would be on brownfield sites.

Vivienne Parker asked the following supplementary question:

“Can the Council assure me that the local residents and people living near by will be kept safe from the escape of pollution from this site during the remediation process?”

Councillor Curry said that he could give this assurance. The company was very experienced at this kind of work, all of which took place in fairly dense urban areas and they had a very good track record of keeping pollution under tight control and making sure that contamination was not released.

Question B – Nicholas Chan, of Rainham, asked thePortfolio Holder for Climate Change and Strategic Regeneration, Councillor Curry, the following:

“Very often infrastructure comes after development. Right now, there are business opportunities and a new care home planned at Medway's Innovation Centre. Also, it is widely reported that Medway Council sat on unused s106 money.

Will Councillors use these opportunities to improve transportation choices for Chatham residents such as extending bus route 185 to the future developments across Fort Horsted?”

In response, Councillor Curry said that it would be incorrect to say that Medway had sat on S106 money. The Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement, the next one of which would be in December 2025 was a point in time and set out what agreements have been made, what money had come in, what money had been spent and the further infrastructure planned. 

Contributions were being received every week, relevant schemes were being funded and delivered and that meant there was regular turnover of S106 funding. A big scheme was sometimes necessary, such as a new school, and that may be funded from a number of contributions. As a result, the Council would hold on to early contributions until all the funding had been received. That was quite normal and was not the Council sitting on funding. The Council was committed to delivering the infrastructure necessary to mitigate development using the S106 contributions.

In relation to public transport, this was a vital part of a sustainable future. The Council was in regular discussions with bus operators to improve services, making them more efficient, accessible, and environmentally friendly. In some cases, such as the recent improvements to services to Cliffe Woods and Cliffe, these upgrades had been supported by Section 106 funding.

In relation to bus route 185 and the developments at Fort Horsted, the Council recognised the growing demand for better transport links in this area. While there were no confirmed plans to extend this route at present, work was taking place with Arriva and other bus operators to explore the feasibility of service enhancements that reflected local needs. Councillor Curry also noted that Arriva 101 and 176 services already operated nearby.

Where appropriate, the Council would seek to use Section 106 contributions to support improvements, in line with the Bus Service Improvement Plan and Local Bus Infrastructure Plan. Medway was committed to ensuring that public transport kept pace with development and offered residents a real alternative to car use.

Nicholas Chan asked the following supplementary question:

“In relation to Section 106 money, will the Council be able to assure me and residents that with the Local Plan in place, the Section 106 money will be used wisely and within public trust to be used appropriately within short duration?”

Councillor Curry said that he could confirm this. The Section 106 money would come as part of the developments that would take place once the Local Plan had gone through its final approval from the Secretary of State and the Council would ensure that S106 fundings were a key part of delivery. The provision of better bus services in Medway was a high priority for Councillor Curry.