New plans for Chatham Docks submitted
The plans have been fiercely contested by campaigners - with a meeting taking place on Tuesday over its future
Last updated 23rd Jan 2024
New plans to redevelop Chatham Docks have been submitted.
Peel Waters, part of the Peel Group, plan to build new business units, a promenade, and walking and green spaces on the 20-acre Basin 3 site.
They say they'll also provide spaces for small independent businesses.
Peel Waters' Executive Director James Whittaker, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service, that enterprise, manufacturing and technology are included in the plans.
“We are confident that Basin3 will attract high-value jobs in target growth sectors including creative industries and advanced manufacturing, which is predicted to triple current job numbers on the site.
“The site we are promoting is currently brownfield land which presents a fantastic opportunity for sustainable regeneration, investment and development.
“Positioning this high-quality employment space adjacent to the cluster of universities and The Waterfront UTC, amplifies the potential to attract inward investment and encourages businesses to consider Medway as a key location for their growth whilst retaining local talent.”
One business, ArcelorMittal Kent Wire, has not yet agreed to relocate, with its Chief Executive Phil Taylor, saying the application was "disappointing" and did not make economic sense.
Mr Taylor told LDRS that “Peel’s application for Basin3 is for employment, that’s fantastic, but employment of high value, high quality, well-paid skilled jobs already exists on that site, so why would you want to contemplate destroying those jobs for some promise of a future that is unlikely to be deliverable?
“Their claim that all tenant’s leases expire in 2025 is just not true. Our leases are protected under the Landlord and Tenant Act and therefore we have automatic right to renew our leases in 2025, which we fully intend to do."
He added “the campaign to save Chatham Docks will remain, we’re not going away. The people of Medway are on our side."
Mr Whittaker is urging ArcelorMittal Kent Wire to engage with them to help relocate.
“What we’re trying to say to every occupier is let’s find relocation opportunities so we don’t lose the jobs.
“Let’s look at regenerating the site, let’s use it for better, let’s create more jobs on that land, and let’s work with as many of them as possible.”
Both Peel Waters and ArcelorMittel Kent Wire are meeting with the leader of Medway Council, Vince Maple, on Tuesday to discuss the plans.
Mr Whittaker says he hopes the meeting will be productive.
"It’s right to discuss rather than not speak to them or shut the door on them.
“I think Vince is right to engage with both sides, trying to find some medium ground if there is any, so let’s explore and see where it goes.”
Medway Council are set to consider the application and open it up to to public consultation.
If approved, construction on the site will not begin until 2026 at the earliest.