A source of information on the development and regeneration of Medway. Future Medway is a source of information on the development and regeneration of Medway.
Independently run by a resident, it aims to keep the community informed and offer perspectives on how Medway is changing. It first launched in 2015 and was formerly known as Future Chatham.
⛔ Road closure on Walderslade Road, Chatham, until 30 August for gas mains replacement.
🚧 Works are taking place between Maidstone Road and Wayfield Road junctions in phased sections.
🚍 Bus services running on diversion.
ℹ️ More information: https://www.sgn.co.uk/our-gas-works/roadworks-your-area
🏠 Go-ahead for 61 flats on Krystals Nightclub site in New Road, Chatham.
ℹ️ No affordable housing will be created as the developer argued it “would not be viable”.
A former Chatham nightclub is set to be redeveloped into housing.
✅ Plans approved for new SEND secondary school in Gillingham.
🚸 It will offer 160 places for pupils aged 11-18 with social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Plans for a SEND secondary school in Gillingham have been given the green light.
✅ Cozenton Park Sports Centre, formerly Splashes, is now open in Rainham.
🏊 It has a 25-metre lane pool, a leisure pool with flume and wave machine, dance and fitness studios, a gym, and a café.
♿ Accessibility features include two pool lifts, wide entrances and a Changing Places room.
ℹ️ Find out more: https://futuremedway.co.uk/cozenton-park-sports-centre-formerly-splashes-in-rainham-opens/
⛔ Road closure on Luton Road, Chatham, extended for a further week until Friday, 12 July.
🔧 Another gas leak has been detected near the now-repaired leak from last week.
🚫 No access between the junctions of Pheasant Road and Upper Luton Road. Affected bus services remain on diversion.
⛔ Luton Road (Chatham) remains closed between Pheasant Road and Upper Luton Road due to a gas leak.
ℹ️ Work is expected to be completed by Friday, 5 July.
🚍 All bus services are on diversion until the road can reopen.
❌ Bose moves UK headquarters out of Medway after 25 years.
🎧 The global audio brand has relocated to London, dealing a major blow to Medway's economy.
Global audio brand Bose has closed its Chatham headquarters.
💰 Investor buys former St John Fisher School on Maidstone Road, Chatham.
ℹ️ It sold for £1.65m with potential for redevelopment into residential, mixed use, care or retirement schemes.
Chatham's old St John Fisher School has been bought by an investor.
✅ A228 Frindsbury Hill, Strood, will reopen a week early this Friday, 14 June. All diverted bus routes will also resume their normal services from Saturday, 15 June.
We are delighted to confirm the A228 Frindsbury Hill in Strood is due to reopen one week ahead of schedule on Friday, 14 June.
Once Frindsbury Hill is open, all traffic management measures which were in place will be removed.
The traffic restrictions on Canal Road which were temporarily lifted whilst these works took place will be reintroduced.
Motorists should be aware that they will no longer be able to use Canal Road to access the A2 from Medway City Estate. Enforcement of these restrictions will restart from Saturday, 15 June.
Bus services will return to normal from Saturday, 15 June.
We would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding whilst these essential works were taking place.
Find out more: https://orlo.uk/lsRQt
📌 Medway Council puts two car parks in Chatham and Strood up for sale.
ℹ️ Union Place car park and Temple Street car park are both earmarked for redevelopment after a decline in revenue.
Two council car parks in Chatham and Strood have gone on the market.
✅ Turkish restaurant Turkuaz has opened at Medway Valley Leisure Park.
🍴 It serves a range of traditional cuisine and drinks, with space for around 220 customers.
A new Turkish restaurant has opened at Medway Valley Leisure Park.
✅ Chimera Climbing is now open at Chatham Maritime.
🧗 It is Medway's biggest rock climbing centre, offering a range of angled walls, a Kilter board and outdoor boulder facility.
ℹ️ Find out more: https://futuremedway.co.uk/chimera-climbing-opens-rock-climbing-centre-at-chatham-maritime/
📌 Chatham’s former Wilko store is being advertised for rent.
ℹ️ Only the ground floor of the two-storey unit is available, as the first floor will become part of a new NHS healthy living centre.
Chatham's former Wilko store is being advertised for rent.
🚧 Investigatory works underway at the former Poundworld building on Chatham High Street.
Medway Council forfeited the lease from the previous tenant, Rimzi Cosmetics Ltd, which has a shop further up the High Street, as it failed to pay rent.
The building has been empty since 2018 and comes under the same ownership as the Pentagon Centre. No future plans are known yet.
It was purpose-built as a cinema, opening as the National Electric Theatre on 15 April 1911. However, it permanently closed in 1951.
After its closure it was turned into a retail unit, having been occupied by Wilsons Fashion, Best Sellers, MK One, Internacionale and Poundworld over the years.
Planning application for Hen and Chicks has now been withdrawn by the developer 👇
💰 Strood's former NatWest bank has sold for £507,000.
ℹ️ The vacant bank closed in March and was soon put up for sale at an auction.
Strood's former NatWest bank has been sold.
🚧 Improvements to Cozenton Park & Nursery in Rainham are proposed by Medway Council.
The suggested changes include:
🌳 Turning the old nursery site into a community tree nursery, garden and allotments.
🛹 Refurbishing and extending the skatepark.
🧒 Upgrading the children's play area.
🚶 Improving entrances to the park.
💪 New outdoor gym and fitness area.
The improvements will be funded by £175,600 in S106 developer contributions (with more due) and £66,699 of external funding, specifically for the community tree nursery.
💬 Have your say on the plans via the online survey by 18 June: https://surveys.medway.gov.uk/snapwebhost/s.asp?k=171465435059
ℹ️ Find out more: https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200177/regeneration/1885/cozenton_park_open_space_improvements
❌ Manor Farm Beefeater in Rainham is believed to be earmarked for closure.
ℹ️ The plans are still subject to consultation and a final decision has not been confirmed by the owner, Whitbread.
Manor Farm Beefeater is believed to be earmarked for closure by Premier Inn owner Whitbread.
📝 Kent's first urban Neighbourhood Plan is now in place, created by residents of Chatham.
ℹ️ It sets out the community's vision for a part of the town through planning policies on a range of issues.
A resident-led plan shaping the future of Chatham is now in place.
✅ Zizzi is now open at Chatham Maritime, next to Wagamama!
🍕 The restaurant serves a range of Italian dishes, and features outdoor seating plus a large mural inspired by Chatham's nautical history.
ℹ️ Find out more: https://futuremedway.co.uk/zizzi-opens-new-restaurant-at-chatham-maritime/
❌ Lids shuts Chatham store less than two years after it opened.
🧢 The American retailer specialises in branded hats and sportswear.
Lids has closed its Chatham store less than two years after it opened.
🏠 Revised plans to turn Chatham's Hen and Chicks into 10 flats submitted.
📌 The new proposal includes a communal garden and 12 cycle parking spaces, although no car parking is proposed.
ℹ️ Find out more: https://futuremedway.co.uk/revised-flat-plans-for-hen-and-chicks-pub-on-luton-high-street-chatham/
🚧 Restoration of St John's Church in Chatham town centre is underway.
⛪ Once complete in autumn 2025, it will have facilities for events and classes, meeting spaces for businesses and a café, plus continuing as a place of worship.
ℹ️ Find out more: https://futuremedway.co.uk/restoration-of-st-johns-church-in-chatham-town-centre-underway/
✅ Wagamama is now open at Chatham Maritime!
🍴 The restaurant, serving pan-Asian cuisine, is Medway's first branch and has space for 170+ customers.
ℹ️ Find out more: https://futuremedway.co.uk/wagamama-opens-at-chatham-maritime/
⏰ Four-month delay hits £2m revamp of The Paddock in Chatham town centre.
ℹ️ This is due to changes to the plans, after a controversial £400,300 fountain was axed from the project.
Improvements to a green space in Chatham town centre are facing delays.
Pool hoists installed at the new Cozenton Park Sports Centre (former Splashes) - opening in July!
🏠 'Only' timber-clad shop on Chatham High Street earmarked for 18 flats.
ℹ️ The proposed four-storey block would replace the former AF Smith and Varley Electrical shops.
👉 Find out more: https://futuremedway.co.uk/only-timber-clad-shop-on-chatham-high-street-earmarked-for-18-flats/
Well done to residents of Chatham 👏
✅ We did it!
🗳️ Kent's first urban Neighbourhood Plan has officially PASSED its referendum with an overwhelming 88% majority.
👏 A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey.
🚧 Plans submitted to convert the Gun Shop on Chatham High Street into 7 flats and a shop.
ℹ️ It has been empty since 2007 and previously had a shop, basement nightclub and upper floor flats.
👉 See the planning application: https://publicaccess1.medway.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=SCCMDZKNGH000
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