by Alan Watkins

At least three villages, two hotels, and a new town centre
either side of a wooded valley - that's the vision for army land at
Chattenden when the last troops pull out in 2012.

The 5,000-home development will adopt the name Lodge Hill so
people living in Chattenden do not feel they are losing their own
identity.

The development is being designed by Land Securities, which is holding a series of consultation meetings to get reactions to the proposals. No plans are expected to be delivered to the council for 18 months.

Steve Neal, from Land Securities, said the proposals were based
on discussions with people on the peninsula. He said: "We want to
get it right, we welcome their views, and we want to hear what they
think of the proposals so far."

There are many challenges, including:

• Around 230 historic military buildings, including what may be the oldest anti-aircraft gunsite in the world;
• Ancient woodlands and sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) that have to be protected;
• The development of transport links;
• The needs of the growing elderly population.

Some of the local residents at the opening exhibition in the
former Lodge Hill school buildings on Tuesday were concerned
about the transport issues.

One said: "That has to be tackled. It took me 30 minutes to get
from Frindsbury to here tonight because of the traffic congestion
coming out of the tunnel and the Medway City Estate."

Talks are going on with the council about providing transport
and utility services, as well as with the impact it will have on
Medway.

"We are at a very exciting stage at the moment," added Mr
Neal.