At last night’s Full Council meeting Tory councillors unanimously rejected a Labour proposal designed to safeguard the jobs of the 800 skilled employees who work at Chatham Docks.

The Labour motion asked officers to “consider” how the Council might rethink its controversial plan to rezone Chatham Docks from its traditional “employment” only use to “mixed” use.  For Chatham Docks landlord Peel Property rezoning opens the way to lucrative housing redevelopment opportunities and will mean the end for Medway’s last remaining port. 

Despite knowing all this, the governing Tory administration voted unanimously against protecting Chatham Docks and the motion was lost.

 Commneting, Phil Taylor of ArcelorMittal Kent Wire said: “The vote last night was extremely disappointing, but we fight on.  Everyone we’ve spoken to - including our MP Kelly Tolhurst - thinks that trashing a thriving port is madness.  Everyone except for the Tory front bench on Medway Council.”

Carvil is assisting the business operating at Chatham Docks in fighting Peel Land & Property’s plans to close Chatham Docks and save the 800 jobs currently based there.