Securing investment and fighting to protect our local economy is not just about the headline figures, it's about preserving the heart and soul of our communities. Throughout my time as MP, I've stood firm in this fight, championing our communities and working tirelessly to secure investments that not only bolster our economy but also safeguard the jobs of our residents and our local economy.
The £9.5 million Future High Street Fund will help to transform our high streets into vibrant hubs, by creating spaces for businesses to thrive and also generating employment opportunities for local residents. By investing in our highstreets, we're investing in the future of our communities.
Secondly, the £14.4 million secured for Medway as a part of the Levelling Up Fund is supporting projects, such as The Docking Station, The Brook Theatre, and The Fitting Rigging House, this isn’t just about short-term job creation but will build hubs for skills and long-term growth. By investing in these innovative projects, we're laying the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient economy that benefits everyone.
Alongside this, over £7.4 million has been secured for creative industries and is about recognising the value of culture and creativity that is already thriving in Medway. By placing cultural and creative industries at the heart of our regeneration plans, it creates jobs and opens up new possibilities for young people and the wider community.
But our work doesn't stop there, we must also fight to protect existing jobs and industries from threats like the proposed redevelopment of Chatham Docks. Unlike the Labour candidate, I will continue to fight against the closure of Chatham Docks. This economic hub is not just a source of employment, they're integral part of our heritage, economy, and history. The proposed redevelopment threatens to displace businesses and workers, jeopardising the economic stability of our area.
Since it first emerged, I've been vocal in my opposition to this proposal, raising the issue in Parliament on multiple occasions, from Adjournment Debates to Prime Minister's Questions, I have highlighted the success of businesses at the docks and urged for their protection.
This redevelopment risks replacing a vital economic engine with a residential-focused, mixed-use development, potentially causing economic and environmental setbacks for our community. Chatham Docks supports nearly 20 businesses, directly employing 795 people, including 750 full-time equivalents, and supporting an additional 1,500 jobs indirectly through supply chain networks. In 2021, these businesses generated a combined turnover of nearly £175 million. The docks also offer impressive apprenticeship programs, providing pathways into rewarding careers and strengthening our regional workforce.
While meeting housing targets is important, it should not come at the expense of existing jobs and industries. The redevelopment proposal plans to build 3,600 homes, jeopardising the livelihoods of many and the unique industrial heritage of our area.
I have written to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, to undertake an Article 31 holding direction to prevent Medway Council from granting permission for this development. The current live application, recommended for approval by Medway Council planning officers, overlooks the value of the dock and threatens the operations there.
I have been overwhelmed by the support from local residents and businesses across the country. In the face of Peel Waters' relentless push for redevelopment, it is vital for Medway's future to preserve our heritage of commercial and manufacturing activity and safeguard the industries that underpin our economy. We owe it to our community, workers, and future generations to get planning right and save Chatham Docks.
The fight to secure investment and protect existing jobs is essential to the very essence of our communities. The local investments secured will spur on our neighbourhoods, creating opportunities for growth, innovation, and prosperity. And by standing up to threats like the proposed redevelopment of Chatham Docks, we're defending jobs, our local economy, our history, our heritage, and our way of life.
