A Kent MP has accused a council of sleepwalking towards the loss of hundreds of jobs in pursuit of housing targets over plans for the redevelopment of Chatham Docks.

Kelly Tolhurst (Con) was speaking about Peel Waters’ proposals for Basin 3 during a Westminster Hall debate on the subject yesterday (May 1), saying it needed greater attention because of the threat to Medway’s economy.

The Rochester and Strood MP is a vocal supporter of the Save Chatham Docks campaign and said the debate was necessary to highlight the problematic obsession with housing targets.

In her opening remarks, Ms Tolhurst said: “This proposal has raised legitimate worries about the quality of jobs, uncertainty around investments and its overall environmental footprint.

“It is apparent Chatham Docks is absolutely essential for the local population.

“The shift towards housing development, whilst appealing to Medway Council’s housing targets, raises concerns about the potential impact on existing jobs and industries at the docks.

“Sites like Chatham Docks are now at risk due to Medway’s focus on meeting targets. We require a more strategic approach to housing development focusing on suitable locations with adequate infrastructure.”

She also supports the masterplan which the campaign commissioned from SPPARC Architecture LLP, which sets out an alternate vision for the site which would expand the space available for the businesses based there, which she outlined during her speech.

Ms Tolhurst was supported throughout the debate by fellow Tory MP Theresa Villiers, who suggested the latter stages of Peel Waters’ plans for Chatham Docks were focused on building flats rather than larger family homes which were more of need in Medway.

There were also contributions from the government’s Minister for Housing, Planning, and Building Safety, Lee Rowley, and Labour’s Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning Matthew Pennycook.

They both said they could not comment on the specifics of the ongoing Basin 3 application but discussed the approach which should be taken to build homes in a way which suits local areas and their residents.

They agreed the debate needed to move past accusations of NIMBYism and YIMBYism (yes, in my back yard), but clashed over who had better strategies for meeting housing need without over-riding local opposition.

Mr Rowley said Labour would bring about an approach which lacked nuance and would ignore local factors while Mr Pennycook said the recent changes to the national planning policy framework (NPPF) from the government enabled councils to prevent necessary housebuilding on flimsy grounds.

Ms Tolhurst told the Local Democracy Reporting Service she brought the debate to gain the attention of a wider audience and guide Medway Council away from “sleepwalking” towards a loss of vital jobs.

She said: “I have brought the debate in order to highlight the two proposals currently under consideration.

“On one hand we have a residential-led, mixed-use proposal, with scant employment guarantees, which poses a real risk of under-utilising the site.

“On the other, the Save Chatham Docks campaign places its emphasis on industrial applications and environmental sustainability through the SPPARC Masterplan, with a call to preserve Basin 3’s industrial focus, protect jobs and ensure sustainable development.

“My fear is Medway Council could be sleepwalking into the loss of high-value investments, skilled local jobs and a key piece of transport infrastructure simply because the redevelopment of Basin 3 as part of a housing target represents the path of least resistance.”

The plans, which were submitted to Medway Council’s planning department in January, would see part of Chatham Docks turned into a business park called Basin 3.

The designs are controversial as they would see the demolition of the current warehouses and require the relocation of all the businesses currently based there.

This has raised opposition from people who say the prediction the new development will provide up to 585 jobs is an over-estimate and a hollow promise.

The outline planning application has been recommended for approval by officers, despite receiving 172 letters of objection from residents.

Phil Taylor, chief executive of ArcelorMittal Kent Wire which is based at the docks and opposes the plans, said he was extremely grateful for the debate and that the facts of the situation were now on the parliamentary record, Hansard.

He said: “I was exceptionally happy and delighted with the way that it went yesterday and grateful for the continued support that we're getting from Kelly Tolhurst.

“She's passionate about ensuring that we save Chatham Docks, and it's not just about the businesses there today, it's about the future.

“We shouldn't allow an important local and national infrastructure asset like Chatham Docks to be destroyed by a greedy property developer.”

Speaking about the news council officers had recommended Peel Waters’ plans for approval, he said he was hugely disappointed.

He continued: “We're all aware that the bottom line here is that Peel want to bring a residential-led mixed-use development to the site, because that's where they can see maximum value from the land and this Basin 3 application is the start of their master plan for Chatham Docks.

“But if it's granted, then that's the end of the docks - it's not a viable proposition for the docks to remain open if permission is granted at next week's planning meeting.

“We were really optimistic when Labour took control, because of their support for Chatham Docks, that they would control the officers and ensure that their will, which they articulated in opposition, would be delivered but that clearly doesn't seem to be the case.”

He said he was hopeful the planning committee would see sense and deny the application but was preparing to discuss legal options if it were approved.

To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here.

The decision on the Basin 3 application at Chatham Docks will be made at the planning committee meeting on Wednesday, May 8.