Medway expands to help manage infrastructure needs

Medway Council has responded to burgeoning urban infrastructure demands by recruiting a new planner to help shape policy.

Tom Gilbert, who joined from Kent consultant DHA Planning, will help prepare implementation and monitoring of development policy including the area's local plan.

He told Planning: “Medway is one of the biggest urban areas in Kent and there's a lot of regeneration and infrastructure work. Being in the south east there's a big drive for housing.

“But all this must sit alongside great natural assets such as the River Medway and several Sites of Special Scientific Interest and be balanced with meeting other needs, including employment.

“Another big consideration is the High-Speed line to London: this will have a big impact on infrastructure and throw up issues such as population movement to and from London.”

Gilbert will work with local communities, take part in multidisciplinary project teams and advise on development management.

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(pic shows Rochester Riverside site)