Lidsing Garden Community SPD

Comment

Representation ID: 112

Received: 19/11/2025

Respondent: Linda Brown

Road Infrastructure:

Considering a projection of vehicular movements in excess of 8000 per day (average of 2 cars per house for 2000 houses plus retail/employment traffic) exactly how would the surrounding local road infrastructure be improved to cope with the increase in traffic?

How will the development connect to the strategic road network considering local roads are already overburdened and many are patently beyond capacity for additional traffic? There has been no test or environmental assessment of the M2 junction 4 connection regarding the ecological area of natural outstanding beauty or the impact on the existing nearby housing.

Where will the site traffic and, in the future, buses gain access/egress to the site?A new transparent transport assessment is obviously required.

Comment noted.
The SPD takes forward the requirements of Policy LPRSP4(B) of the Local Plan Review which established the necessary scope of infrastructure, and Chapter 6.6 sets out principles and guidelines including relating to assessing and mitigating impacts across the local and strategic road layout.
The SPD sets out additional guidance on the approach to transport assessment and mitigation (Chapter 7.3) .

Comment

Representation ID: 113

Received: 19/11/2025

Respondent: Linda Brown

Water and sewage services:

What evidence is there of consultation with the Water Company? They have expressed concern over supply to existing properties already.

Recognising that there is no natural water supply in Lidsing, where will the water supply be acquired?

Where will the sewage be discharged and what provision is to be made for improvements to the existing facilities to prevent pollution of the local rivers and estuary?

The Ecology Framework is not adequate; where is the Ecology report?

There is no evidence of studies or surveys undertaken with reference to known protected species in the area, eg skylarks, ground nesting birds, kestrels, buzzards, bats, dormice, lizards, slow worms etc.What arrangements are there to provide green corridors and replacement habitats?

Health Provision:

What proposals are being made for the already overburdened hospital, GPs and dental services? Has the Health Trust been consulted regarding the proposed surgery? Will the proposed surgery be built or space left for the Health Trust to make that provision?Have they approved expenditure for staffing the facility?

The SPD takes forward the requirements of Policy LPRSP4(B) of the Local Plan Review which established the necessary scope of infrastructure. The infrastructure Delivery Plan identifies how elements are funded which will be refined further through the planning application process.
The approach includes the need for an on-site medical facility, but the funding and delivery of services at local hospitals is a national matter and cannot be addressed by this SPD.

Comment

Representation ID: 114

Received: 19/11/2025

Respondent: Linda Brown

Education:

Plans are for a 3 form entry primary school - will the buildings be provided or just a space for development? Has KCC approved the additional expenditure for staff and resources?

What support for secondary education is proposed? The local Medway schools are already oversubscribed despite a new school being opened in the last few years.

Comment noted.
The SPD takes forward the requirements of Policy LPRSP4(B) of the Local Plan Review which established the necessary scope of facilities and infrastructure, which included the need for on-site primary education facilities and contributions towards improving off site secondary schools.
The process for allocating school places will be a matter taken forward by Kent County Council in line with wider policies and procedures and cannot be considered by the SPD.

Comment

Representation ID: 115

Received: 19/11/2025

Respondent: Linda Brown

Employment Areas:

Given that there are many vacant employment opportunities in existing local sites - Chatham Maritime, Gillingham Business Park, Medway City Estate, is there a real need for or likelihood of fulfilling this proposal?

Comment noted.
The SPD takes forward the requirements of Policy LPRSP4(B) of the Local Plan Review which established that the development should aim to exceed 2,000 new jobs as feasible and viable
Section 6.13 sets out guidelines and principles for employment, and the types of new employment space to be provided.
Future planning applications will need to consider and address all issues and requirements.

Comment

Representation ID: 116

Received: 19/11/2025

Respondent: Linda Brown

The SDP needs to be scrutinised and reviewed since so many issues are left unanswered regarding viability and delivery. It needs to be strict and transparent.

The SPD sets out the requirements that future planning applications will need to consider and address.
The viability of the proposal was considered during the examination of the Local Plan Review and is not a matter needing to be revaluated to prepare the SPD.