Plans to convert a historic boat storage yard into housing remain on the table despite more than 60 objections from residents, councillors and an MP.

Medway Council's planning committee considered Patman Trust's proposal to build six terraced houses and two flats at Patman Wharf in Upnor during a public meeting at Chatham's Gun Wharf on Wednesday evening.

Councillors deferred making a final decision amid the coronavirus crisis. This comes after 65 objection letters were sent to the local planning authority, raising concerns over the loss of a boatyard in one of the last Medway wharfs.

Ward councillor Elizabeth Turpin (Con), of Strood Rural, described the planned development as "inappropriate" and said: "There's just one main road going into Upnor and it will get overcrowded very quickly."

But, Medway Council officers have said the renovation of the wharf into "high quality" waterfront homes outweighs the "regrettable" loss of the boatyard.

They add that the wharf looks like a "derelict yard" while many of the boats on the site appear to be "abandoned" and sits within a highly residential area.

Under the plans, the six proposed houses to be built on the 0.197 hectare Upnor Road site will include a living room, kitchen, bathroom and three bedrooms – one en-suite. The homes would be two storeys high.

In addition, two flats would be housed within a three-storey high detached building, with a living room, kitchen and balcony overlooking the River Medway by the junction of Galleon Way and Upnor Road.

Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst was among the main opponents. She voiced concern about the neighbouring Upnor Road company, GPS Marine Contractors. Workers use hammers, grinders and wielding equipment.

She told the local planning authority: "Future residents could complain about noise and cause problems for this business."

Strood councillor John Williams (Con), who represents the area, has been a long-standing critic of the proposed change of use and submitted a list of objections to Medway Council's planning committee ahead of the meeting.

However, Patman Trust claim that demand to use the boatyard has been declining for several years while planning officers say that the proposal will contribute towards the "wider need for housing" across the borough.

Explaining its position, a Medway Council paper says: "Furthermore, the wharf edge is now deteriorating and the revenue generated by the boat storage use is insufficient to permit substantial investment in improvements."

Each house would be provided with a car port, which the council deems ample enough to accommodate two vehicles.

Flats would also be granted parking spaces within the ground floor of their block. An additional three visitor parking bays would also be provided.

The next planning committee meeting is due to take place at Chatham's Gun Wharf on Wednesday, April 29, from 6.30pm.

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