Chatham Docks residential plan outlined in council's local plan
A controversial project to build 2,200 homes at Chatham Docks has been outlined in Medway Council's local plan.The draft document, published on Thursday, also details the council's intention to build 690 homes on enterprise zone Medway City Estate and over 1,000 homes on what previously was green belt land on the outskirts of Strood. The Chatham Waters residential-led development plan has been campaigned against by the group Save Chatham Docks since it was approved in November, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Councillors will discuss the proposals at a special full council meeting on 26 June and vote on whether to put it out to the public to get their views.
Chatham Docks is owned by Peel Waters, which has intentions for regeneration of the site through redevelopment, but this has faced major opposition from the Save Chatham Docks campaign, supported by former Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst.
Housing targets
Medway City Estate will also see major changes as it is to become the Frindsbury Peninsula Opportunity Area (FPOA), meaning approximately 690 homes are to be built.The draft Local Plan believes the high occupancy by businesses in the estate is only because there are a lack of alternative locations.It would mean an almost total change to the site since it began in the 1980s, when it was created as an enterprise zone.
Elsewhere, the Capstone Valley is another location allocated for residential-led development across four sites, totalling up to 3,938 homes.Strood will also see changes to the green belt boundary, as the government's new 'grey belt' designation comes into effect.Up to 1,280 would be allowed across three sites on the edge of Strood on what was previously green belt land, should this version of the Local Plan be approved.
As part of national housing targets, Medway council is required to provide 1,636 homes a year until 2041.The council's planning department budget increased by £320,000 to cover the anticipated cost for the preparation of the Local Plan and it received a £227,962.50 grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in March 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
11 minutes ago
- The Independent
FA approves radical change to Women's Super League
Plans for the Women's Super League to be expanded to 14 teams have been approved by the FA Board, passing its final hurdle. The news comes after WSL clubs voted to expand the top flight from 12 to 14 earlier in the week. FA approval was needed due to the 'golden share' which the association holds over the women's game. The plans will now come into place for the 2026/27 season, with the top two teams in the Women's Super League 2 promoted automatically at the end of the upcoming campaign. A relegation play-off between the bottom WSL side and third-placed WSL 2 outfit will decide the final spot of the enlarged division. A statement, published on the FA's website, read: 'The FA Board has approved proposals made by WSL Football to increase the size of the Barclays Women's Super League (BWSL) to 14 clubs. These approvals were made pursuant to The FA's rights under its special share in the leagues and also FA Rules.' From the 2026/27 onwards, one club will be automatically promoted into the WSL with the worst performing side in the top-flight relegated. Then, the 13th-placed side in the top tier will face the second-placed WSL 2 team in a play-off. The FA's statement added: 'There will be consequential changes to promotion throughout the remainder of the women's football pyramid for the 2025-26 season, which will be decided in due course. 'The growth of the WSL and the WSL 2 reflects the ongoing evolution of the women's professional game in England which we consider will be of benefit to all clubs.' Initial plans to remove relegation all together were scraped after backlash from supporters, with clubs instead approving the new 14-team arrangement.
The Sun
15 minutes ago
- The Sun
Cheapest supermarket for school uniforms revealed and prices are LOWER than buying second-hand on Vinted
THE cheapest supermarket to get a school uniform has been revealed - and you could pay less than buying second-hand on Vinted. Aldi and Lidl have come out on top this year as the supermarkets with the lowest prices for uniforms, according to analysis by The Sun, with prices at both stores frozen since 2022. 2 2 The budget retailers are bringing back their school uniform "bundles" for ages 4-12, so parents can get two polo shirts, a sweatshirt, and trousers, a skirt or shorts from just £5. Many individual uniform items at both Aldi and Lidl start from less than £2, with trousers and skirts priced from £1.75, sweatshirts from £1.50, and a two-pack of polo shirts from £2.49. School shirts from both retailers work out at around £1.20 each, with Lidl offering a two-pack for £2.49 and Aldi offering a three-pack for £3.69. The Sun has found that parents could kit out their little ones with a school uniform from the budget supermarkets this year for less than if they were to buy the items second-hand on Vinted. Over 500 sellers on the online marketplace are currently offering "school uniform" items, with many working out as more expensive than Aldi and Lidl's offering. For example, one seller has posted two used grey pleated skirts for age 5 years for £5.69, meaning you would save over £2 buying two new skirts from Aldi or Lidl. Another is selling grey boys shorts for age 5 years for £2.46 - over 70p more than the supermarket prices. There are also several polo shirts up for sale on the website, with one seller offering a set of two navy polo shirts for ages 5-6 for £4.08 - meaning you'd make a saving of £1.60 if you bought them new from Aldi or Lidl. While you can still save money by buying a school uniform second-hand, there are benefits to purchasing from an established retailer if you can. Consumer expert Martyn James says: "It makes much more sense to buy new from a retailer where your shopping rights are much clearer than on the second hand market. Sainsbury's scraps in-store changing rooms leaving shoppers furious "But don't forget that the Consumer Rights Act covers all purchases you make from shops and even individuals – just check the T&Cs!" School uniforms will be hitting supermarket shelves in the coming weeks, with Aldi launching its back to school range on June 29 and Lidl's available from July 6. What other supermarkets are selling school uniforms? School uniforms will be available in almost all UK supermarkets, as well as some other high street stores, in the coming weeks. Sainsbury's Sainsbury's launched its 2025 school uniform offering on June 15, with prices starting at £3 for a two-pack of white polo shirts. The supermarket is also offering customers 20% off its school uniform range until this Sunday, June 22. Sainsbury's school uniform prices are as follows: Cardigan: 2pck from £8 (£6.40 in sale) Trousers: 2pck from £7 (£5.60 in sale) Skirt: 2pck from £7 (£5.60 in sale) Polo shirts: 2pck from £3 (£2.40 in sale) Sweatshirt: 2pck from £4 (£3.20 in sale) Shirts: 3pck from £4 (£3.20 in sale) Asda Asda sells school uniforms all year round both in store and online, via its clothing range George at Asda. It's latest uniform prices can be found here: Cardigan: 2pck from £8 Trousers: 2pck from £7; you can also get a 5 pack from £20 Skirt: 2pck from £7 Polo shirts: 2pck from £3; or 5 pack from £7.50 Sweatshirt: 2pck from £5; or 5 pack from £12.50 Shirts: 2pck from £3.50; or 5 pack from £8.50 Tesco Tesco is set to launch its back to school range in stores in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on July 21, while shoppers in Scotland can get school kit from July 7. The retailer is yet to reveal the full details of what will be on offer and pricing for its new range, but last year it slashed prices by 25% for Clubcard customers. There are currently several school uniform items available on the Tesco website, with prices as follows: Cardigan: 2pck from £8 Trousers: 2pck from £11 Skirt: 2pck from £11 Polo shirts: 3pck £4.50 Sweatshirt: 2pck £8 Shirts: 3pck from £9 M&S M&S sells school uniform items all year round, with online prices starting from £2.49. Prices currently online are below: Cardigan: from £5 Trousers: 2pck from £11 Skirt: 2pck from £10 Polo shirts: 2pck from £4.50 Sweatshirt: from £6 Shirts: 3pck from £9 How to get a discount on school uniforms Grants to help with school uniform costs are offered by several councils across England, with up to £200 free cash available to parents. The Household Support Fund (HSF) is designed to help those on a low income, benefits, or classed as vulnerable. To apply, you'll need to get in touch with your local council. Most councils have pages on their website dedicated to the HSF, while you can also call your local authority to find out if you are eligible for the support scheme. Unlike in England, all local authorities in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales offer school uniform grants. It's also worth checking out your local charity shop to see what's on offer. Some charity shops have deals with uniform manufacturers and retailers meaning you can get brand new items at bargain prices. Meanwhile, many schools and community groups run second-hand uniform exchanges where parents can find and donate uniforms. .
Telegraph
30 minutes ago
- Telegraph
What to do if your home is in one of Britain's expanding floodplains
As climate change accelerates and the weather becomes increasingly unpredictable, the risk of flooding across the UK is rising sharply. Around 6.3 million properties in England are now located in areas at risk of flooding from rivers, the sea or surface water, according to the Environment Agency's most recent National Flood Risk Assessment (Nafra2). As flood risk maps are updated to reflect climate data and improved modelling, more people may find their homes reclassified as being in a floodplain. Here, Telegraph Money explains why flood zone designations are changing, what it could mean for you and the steps you can take to protect your home and finances. Why are flood zones changing? Are flood zone reclassifications becoming more common? What does it mean for your contents and buildings insurance? Are there any other financial implications? What to watch out for when buying a property What if I live in a flood-prone area? Why are flood zones changing? In recent months, the Environment Agency has introduced several major updates to its flood risk datasets and online mapping tools as part of the Nafra2 project. These updates reflect both changes in climate patterns and improvements in data and modelling to offer a more accurate picture of flood risk. Paul Smith, of The Strategic Land Group, said: 'As a result of climate change the UK is expected to get wetter, with more intense rainfall. This will change the pattern and frequency of flooding in comparison to what we have experienced before.' Babek Ismayil, chief executive and founder of home buying platform OneDome, added: 'Flood zones are updated as new environmental and meteorological data becomes available. Agencies like the Environment Agency reassess areas based on factors such as rainfall patterns, river flow, sea-level rise and changes in land use. 'As modelling becomes more accurate, properties that were previously seen as low-risk may now fall within areas recognised as having a greater flood threat.' Are flood zone reclassifications becoming more common? With climate change contributing to more extreme and unpredictable weather, the number of areas designated as flood risk zones is increasing, according to Andrew Boast, property specialist at SAM Conveyancing. He said: 'Rising sea levels, heavier rainfall and overwhelmed drainage systems lead to more areas being identified as floodplains.' Laura Xu, of climate risk analytics company Climate X, added: 'Development in greenfield or previously undeveloped areas can exacerbate surface water flooding. Together, these factors are making flood zone updates – and reclassifications – more common.' According to the Nafra2 data, one in four properties in England could be in areas at risk of flooding by 2050. Blake Stephenson, the Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire, has written to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, to ask what support will be provided to those who now find themselves living on a floodplain. Mr Stephenson said that updated flood zone data meant many of his constituents found their home categorised as being in a floodplain. What does it mean for your contents and buildings insurance? If your home is in a newly designated flood zone, it could affect your home insurance costs and coverage at renewal. Alex Parker-Walklate, chief insurance officer at Intelligent Insurance, said: 'Being in a floodplain might lead to flood exclusions, higher premiums or a larger excess, albeit most insurers also have their own flood modelling to determine which properties are most at risk of flooding.' Fortunately, the introduction of the Government's Flood Re scheme in 2016 means affordable contents and buildings insurance is available to many homeowners in flood-prone areas. However, this doesn't cover homes built since 2009 or blocks of flats with three or more residences. This is because Flood Re was designed to support existing homes, not encourage development in high-risk areas. If you're not covered by Flood Re and your home is now in a floodplain, it can be worth speaking to an insurance broker who can help you explore specialist cover options. Are there any other financial implications? As well as affecting the amount you pay for home insurance, being in a floodplain can potentially reduce your property's value and make it more difficult to sell your home. In its Financial Stability Report last year, the Bank of England warned of the risk to home values from extreme weather. It said: 'Reduced insurance availability and increased costs could pose further potential challenges to financial stability, by putting downwards pressure on house prices and exposing households and lenders to greater losses.' Mr Boast said: 'You must inform a potential buyer if any part of the property (whether buildings or surrounding garden or land) has ever been flooded, including if this affected the property's insurance premiums.' Securing a mortgage or remortgaging may also be more challenging if the property is now within a designated flood zone. 'Some mortgage lenders will not lend where the security property is located within a high flood-risk area. They may request a more detailed Flood Risk Assessment before they agree to lend to the borrower,' added Mr Boast. If you're struggling to get a mortgage, it's sensible to speak to a mortgage broker who specialises in flood-risk properties. They can connect you to lenders that may be more willing to offer you a mortgage, depending on your situation. What to watch out for when buying a property Before buying, it's crucial to check a property's proximity to rivers, streams or the coast and look for signs of past surface water flooding, which may suggest a higher reclassification risk in future. Poor drainage or frequent standing water after rain can also be indicators, according to Mr Ismayil. He said: 'Always consult the Environment Agency's flood risk maps and consider commissioning a specialist flood risk assessment during the conveyancing process. Areas with ongoing or planned flood mitigation projects may also signal recognised risk.' Mr Boast added: 'Search data can often flag flood risk within the local area; however, this doesn't specifically mean your property is affected. Investigate all evidence through searches, the sellers and your survey to decide whether to buy a property in a high flood-risk area.' You can check the immediate flood risk by using the online Environment Agency tool, as well as the long-term flood risk for areas in England by using the tool on the government website. What if I live in a flood-prone area? If your home is already in a floodplain or it's recently been reclassified, there are steps you can take to minimise the risk and impact of flooding. These include installing flood defences such as flood doors and air brick covers, raising electrical sockets and appliances such as washing machines and moving valuables and important documents to higher floors. Taking early action can help protect your home and may improve your chances of getting appropriate insurance and finance.
