Campaigners have launched legal action in a last-ditch attempt to halt a planned business park at Chatham Docks, Future Medway can reveal.

Medway Council granted outline planning permission to redevelop Medway’s last working docks into 31,000 sqm of new workspace, called Basin3, last year.

Now, the controversial scheme has taken a turn as a judicial review hearing into the decision takes place at the High Court today and tomorrow (29 and 30 October).

In the approved plans, drawn up by developer Peel Waters, the existing warehouses will be demolished and replaced with units of various sizes, along with tree-lined waterfront paths and upgraded flood defences.

The Basin3 project would attract employers from the creative, manufacturing and technology sectors, eventually tripling the number of jobs on the 18-acre site.

But the scheme has drawn controversy as many of the existing businesses, including metal supplier ArcelorMittal Kent Wire, have said they would be forced to close.

Ramping up efforts to stifle the project, ArcelorMittal has entered into a legal battle with Medway Council after lodging the claim with the court.

The firm, which supplies reinforced steel to the construction industry in Britain, has warned its forced closure would lead to the loss of 800 jobs.

ArcelorMittal’s UK construction solutions chief, Matthew Brooks, previously wrote to the government revealing they would “more than likely, cease operations in Britain, given the lack of suitable alternative sites”.

In 2022, the steel giant commissioned renowned architects SPPARC to draw up rival plans to revamp the docks and retain the steel reinforcing bar factory.

Its masterplan claimed that 100,000 sqm of additional industrial floorspace would be created, adding 2,500 new jobs to the local area.

Despite the long-running campaign against the scheme, Medway Council’s planning committee approved the Basin3 plans last May, but a call-in was requested by then-MP for Rochester and Strood Kelly Tolhurst.

Following the government’s decision not to call-in the decision, the council confirmed its approval of the application in November.

At the time, Cllr Simon Curry, portfolio holder for climate change and strategic regeneration, described Basin3 as an “opportunity for new jobs and economic growth.”

“I’m also looking forward to seeing how the development opens up a waterfront area beside the Medway for public access with a footpath and cycle way,” he said, adding, “and [I] hope the site becomes a vibrant space for innovation, collaboration and creativity.”

Peel Waters had planned to close the docks from 2025 as existing leases were due to expire, but the scheme now hangs in the balance thanks to the judicial review.

The focus of a judicial review is on whether a planning decision was made in a proper and lawful manner, rather than the merits of the proposal itself.

The most extreme option open to the court is quashing the council’s planning permission.

If this happens, the council will then need to retake their decision, correcting any mistakes identified by the court.

Commenting on the legal challenge, Leigh Thomas, development director at Peel Waters, said: “Given the thorough and robust decision-making process followed by Medway Council in approving the Basin3 planning application, we oppose the judicial review claim and are confident that it will be dismissed.

“We look forward to moving ahead with the plans for Basin3 once the hearing has taken place in October and are excited to create new opportunities for the people of Medway through our continued investment in the area.”

Medway Council declined to comment prior to the hearing, which is taking place in London.

ArcelorMittal Kent Wire did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The Basin3 scheme does not affect the Historic Dockyard in Chatham, which is a separate site run and operated by Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust.

A judgement from the judicial review hearing will be published in due course.

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