Controversial 450-Home Development at Gibraltar Farm Faces Community Backlash in Kent

Plans for a significant residential development at Gibraltar Farm in Hempstead, north Kent, have sparked considerable controversy as Medway Council prepares to make a decision on the proposal. The project, which includes plans for 450 homes, a children's nursery, and a retail unit, has elicited nearly 800 letters of objection from local residents, reflecting deep-seated concerns over the impact on the area. The outline planning application, set for a decision on 28 August, has been under review for three years. The site, encompassing nearly 30 hectares, has seen a tumultuous planning history. An initial application by developer F.D. Attwood & Partners was rejected by the council in 2016 but later approved on appeal. Subsequent revisions to the plans have faced scrutiny, with a proposal submitted in May 2021 currently on the table. Local residents have voiced their concerns vigorously, with almost 800 objections submitted to the council. Critics of the development include not only local residents but also prominent organizations and figures, such as the Woodland Trust, Sport England, and former MPs Rehman Chishti and Dame Tracey Crouch, along with the sitting MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, Helen Whately. The overarching sentiment among opponents centers around sustainability, loss of green space, and the adequacy of local infrastructure to support such a substantial increase in housing. Despite the significant pushback, council officers have recommended that outline planning permission be granted. They argue that the development presents strong benefits, notably the provision of affordable housing—one quarter of the new homes are to be designated as affordable—and the potential for local economic growth through employment opportunities during the construction phase and beyond. Key conditions attached to the development include a £5.6 million contribution to local infrastructure, aimed at enhancing services like education, waste collection, and improvements to Gillingham and Rainham town centres. The developer will also need to submit detailed designs for the layout, scale, and aesthetic of the houses. The planning landscape in Medway has been marked by challenging debates over urban development and the preservation of green space, as the council strives to balance housing needs with community concerns. The impending decision on the Gibraltar Farm proposal is poised to be a pivotal moment, reflecting broader questions about growth, sustainability, and community values in the face of increasing housing demands. As the 28 August decision date approaches, all eyes will be on Medway Council to see how they navigate the complexities of this contentious issue.