Medway’s Local Plan opens for consultation today, giving residents a chance to have their say about the future of the area.

It will set the agenda for the Towns’ development until 2040, determining housing and commercial development, infrastructure and public services planning, and green spaces.

The consultation will last until October 31 and can be completed online or by collecting a form from any of Medway’s libraries.

The council says there will also be a series of consultation events where members of the public can hear about the plans and the process, ask questions, and make their views known.

Housing is a controversial aspect of the plan, with the government setting a target of 28,000 homes to be built in Medway by 2040, a number some say is too high.

Across the Towns, campaign groups oppose housing in their areas, but council members say the lack of a local plan makes unrestricted house building more likely.

Previous attempts to formulate a plan have fallen apart due to disagreements within previous administrations, but if this attempt is successful it will be adopted by autumn 2025.

Chief planning officer Dave Harris said: “The local plan is really important for everyone in Medway. We need to make sure that we are protecting what is fantastic about Medway, but also facilitating that growth, be it for housing, be it for growth.”

The consultation document shows all of the possible areas where housing development may occur, possibilities for regeneration of public spaces, and necessary improvements to infrastructure to stimulate and manage growth.

Cllr Simon Curry (Lab), portfolio holder for climate change and strategic regeneration, said: “Whether it’s somebody moving to the area for the first time, wanting to live and work here and raise a family, or whether it’s someone who’s lived here a long time, looking for retirement.

“We need your say, we need your input, we want to hear what you have to say to guide our planning for the future here in Medway.”

Council leader Cllr Vince Maple said: “We are encouraging Medway’s residents, businesses, people who work in the area, young people, voluntary sector organisations and anyone with an interest in Medway’s future to have their say on our emerging Local Plan.

“We want Medway’s residents to help shape this important blueprint which will ensure Medway grows sustainably.”

The feedback from the current consultation will be used to create a draft local plan, which the council says will be ready in springtime 2024, that will again be opened for consultation.