Policy information sourced from the Medway Local Plan 2003

S5 Medway’s “City” Centre

Chatham town centre will be developed as the major, multi-use ‘city’ centre for Medway. Sites to cater for new retail development are allocated within the town centre, and any major comparison retail proposals should be located here. Qualitative improvements to convenience goods provision, which are well related to the core area, will be permitted.

A range of other uses appropriate to a town centre location will also be permitted, provided that they contribute to the centre’s vitality and viability and are consistent with the requirements of the retail policies of this plan.

The council will permit initiatives to enhance the attraction of the town centre. These may include environmental improvements, improved access for public transport, cyclists and pedestrians and access to the riverside.

Land at the riverside, as defined on the proposals map, will be released for riverside open space and for mixeduse development. This could include Class C3 residential uses; Class A1 and A3 shop, restaurant and pub uses; Class B1 business; and Class D1 and D2 leisure uses.