Plans to build new business campus at Kent docks move forward

Published by

Daniel Face

Image: Peel Waters

Plans from waterside developers Peel Waters to build a new business campus at Chatham Docks in Kent have been recommended for approval by officers at Medway Council.

Submitted in January, the application has seen significant opposition by local residents – including steel supplier ArcelorMittal Kent Wire, which is backing efforts to keep the site as a working port.

Peel L&P acquired the former naval docks in 2006, and in 2013 secured outline planning permission for the ongoing Chatham Waters regeneration project.

The company has invested £100 million in phase one with a further £500 million in the pipeline, and says that 750 full-time jobs have been created to date at the development.

Among the assets delivered so far are a university technical college, ASDA superstore, Marston’s family restaurant and pub, and 391 homes.

Now the focus is on Basin3, a business and enterprise campus planned to replace the working docks at Chatham.

Peel Waters says the development will ‘drive critical further investment in employment space to help meet future needs’ – but locals argue that hundreds of existing jobs at the docks would be lost, along with the cultural significance of the historic site.

A decision is expected from councillors on 8 May following a meeting of the planning committee.

Daniel Face

Born and raised in Berkshire, Dan fell into journalism after completing his bachelor’s degree in English at UCL. Writing for The Business Magazine and local Biz News sites has given him the opportunity to chat with all manner of small business owners and share their success stories with a wider audience. Outside of work, Dan enjoys live music, board games and quiz shows, and is making a slow but persistent effort to learn Spanish.