Over a year since the wall collapse along Listmas Road, a planning application has finally been put forward outlining plans to reconstruct the damaged section of the retaining wall. The garden wall of the Magpie Community Centre in Magpie Hall Road unexpectedly collapsed onto the pavement below during the late hours of Janurary 7, 2016, prompting a swift response from the emergency services. Since the initial collapse, a large amount of rubble was removed from the site. A temporary wooden structure with concrete blocks was installed as a measure to shore up the remains of the retaining wall to prevent further damage and ensure the safety of passersby. Future Chatham understands from Tris Osborne, Councillor for Luton & Wayfield, that the repair works were predominantly delayed due to a 'dispute between Diocese [of Rochester] and [the] insurance company'. It was unclear which party's legal responsbility it was to undertake the repair work to the damaged wall. However, Medway Council recently received a planning application from the Diocese of Rochester requesting permission for the construction of a 3.5m retaining wall - a major sigh of relief for many agonised local residents. The application proposes to rebuild the wall using interlocking concrete blocks, with brickwork facing onto Listmas Road to match the existing wall. Weep holes will also be installed to ensure sufficient drainage, and a light-weight backfill will be used to reduce the pressure on the wall.
Although there are currently arrangements in place to prevent access to the temporary works area, the application states that the contractor will need to liaise with the Highways officer in order to agree a suitable works area within the public highway when undertaking the wall construction. Subject to planning consent, the reconstruction works were planned to commence during the summer months. No specific date has been confirmed yet. To view the original planning application, please feel free to visit the dedicated section of Medway Council's search portal. Comments are closed.
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August 2023
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