It has recently emerged that Peel L&P have been marketing new properties on Chatham Waters internationally in the midst of a housing crisis that has seen many locals priced out of the housing ladder. 

Cllr Andy Stamp, Member for Gillingham North said:

“This news demonstrates that Chatham Waters clearly isn’t a development which meets the needs of local residents. These luxury apartments are unaffordable for most Medway residents. Peel L&P appear to be more concerned about marketing the site internationally than building genuinely affordable homes for the local community. This is further evidence that the proposed closure of the Chatham Docks site next door to make way for more luxury apartments will not only lead to the loss of more than 2,300 jobs, it will also be of no benefit to the people of Medway whatsoever.”

Cllr Simon Curry, Medway Labour and Co-operative Group Spokesperson for Regeneration, Culture and the Environment added:

“Our position on the Docks has been consistent from the start. They are a key part of Medway’s community, vital for jobs and with a rich cultural history for us all. We are opposed to future phases of residential development at Chatham Waters, it is essential to retain the site in its current form, supporting over 800 jobs directly and a further 1440 in the supply chain as a working, thriving place.

“Losing the docks would be a categoric disaster for Medway from an economic, environmental and cultural perspective. We will continue to hold the Tory Council accountable for their failure to do enough to protect the thousands of jobs that are dependent on the Docks.”