Voice of the MP - Chatham and Aylesford

Chatham and Aylesford MP Tristan Osborne on Medway's Local Plan

Editor’s note: We’ve been publishing quarterly columns from the Leader of Medway Council and the Leader of the Opposition for a while. While we’ll continue to have periodic columns from Cllr Maple and Cllr Perfect, we’re delighted to also start publishing columns from Medway’s new MPs and Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott.

Each month, we’ll have writing from one of them so you can hear directly from your representatives about their work. Today, we welcome new Chatham and Aylesford MP Tristan Osborne, who replaced Tracey Crouch in this year’s General Election. He tells us about the ongoing work to achieve a new Local Plan for Medway.

Voice of the MP

by Tristan Osborne, MP for Chatham

Tristan Osborne MP

I've been grappling with the thorny issue of Medway’s Local Plan since I was first elected to represent Luton and Wayfield in 2011. Over a decade has passed, and much has changed for me personally - I’m now proud to serve as the MP for Chatham and Aylesford and as the councillor for Rochester East and Warren Wood. However, the challenge of the Local Plan remains as pressing as ever, with the stakes higher than ever before.

Up-to-date planning policy isn’t just a bureaucratic exercise; it’s a cornerstone of effective local governance. Planning is fundamental to shaping the future of our communities, ensuring that development is sustainable, and that the needs of residents are met in a balanced and thoughtful way. During my time on Medway Council, I’ve been heartened to see several community-led Neighbourhood Plans take shape, drafted by local residents, examined rigorously, and adopted with legal teeth. These successes have been remarkable, showcasing what can be achieved when local people have a say in the future of their areas. Yet these achievements stand in stark contrast to the broader failure to produce a Medway-wide Local Plan since 2003 - a failure that has left our communities vulnerable to isolated and often unwelcome development.

It’s essential to acknowledge how we arrived at this point. When Labour took control of Medway Council in May 2023 for the first time, we inherited a dire situation regarding the Local Plan. Over a decade had been squandered on political infighting, dithering, and delays - an astonishing waste of resources and an unforgivable neglect of duty. The absence of a coherent and up-to-date Local Plan has not only frustrated residents and stakeholders but has also left us exposed to speculative and often inappropriate developments that do not meet the needs of our communities.

The absence of a current Local Plan has had far-reaching consequences. A well-crafted, community-driven Local Plan can be a powerful catalyst for sustainable growth, directing investment and development to where it is most needed and ensuring that new housing and infrastructure are built in a way that enhances, rather than detracts from, the character and quality of our towns and villages. In contrast, an outdated plan - or worse, no plan at all - opens the door to unsustainable and predatory development, which can have a devastating impact on our communities. Unfortunately, Medway has suffered the latter for far too long, with ill-considered developments being pushed through due to the lack of a robust planning framework.

A stark example of this occurred recently when Medway Council’s planning committee was forced to approve 450 homes on Gibraltar Farm - a direct consequence of Conservative inaction on the Local Plan. Even Cllr Andrew Lawrence, the current Shadow Housing Spokesperson, acknowledged this bitter truth, admitting that the lack of an up-to-date Local Plan had left the Council with little choice but to approve the development. It is therefore a concern that despite the deadline passing we have seen no united response from the Medway Conservatives on where they stand, this despite requests for a publication.

However, all is not lost. Since May 2023, my colleagues across the Council have made tremendous strides in advancing the Local Plan - a task that at times must have felt like a poisoned chalice. Despite the challenges, we are now in a position where real progress is being made, and there is a genuine opportunity to put in place a plan that will serve the best interests of Medway’s residents for years to come.

As I write this, the Regulation 18 Consultation on the draft Local Plan 2041 has completed. I hope local residents have taken the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to this crucial planning process. The input of the community is vital, as it ensures that the final plan reflects the aspirations and needs of those who live and work in Medway.

I’ve submitted my own representation, warmly welcoming the progress made and supporting Medway Council’s aspirations for a balanced approach to spatial growth, particularly Option 3, which offers the best balance between development and the preservation of our natural and built environment. Once the consultation closes, colleagues will carefully consider all representations made before commencing the final stage of public engagement - Regulation 19 - prior to examination by a planning inspector.

The road to a new Local Plan has been long and fraught with difficulties, but we are now in sight of a solution that will provide a solid foundation for Medway’s future. It is my hope that, with continued input from residents and a clear focus on sustainable development, we can finally deliver a Local Plan that meets the needs and secures a positive legacy for future generations.

Tristan Osborne is the MP for Chatham and Aylesford and a Medway councillor for Rochester East & Warren Wood.