Innovation Park Medway (IPM), a £60 million development initially designed to attract major technology and media companies like Netflix and Google, is undergoing a significant redesign. The project, which was paused in February 2024, will now incorporate a 70-bed care home and 16 retirement units, alongside industrial and revised office spaces.
The strategic shift comes as Medway Council reevaluates the project’s viability in its original form. The southern portion of the IPM site, previously earmarked for office and commercial spaces, is now recommended for the care home and retirement units. The northern section will transition from primarily office space to a blend of industrial and “mid-tech” units.
This alteration reflects a revised vision for the park, which was initially projected to generate 3,000 high-value jobs. Councillor Harinder Mahil, portfolio holder for economic and social regeneration, stated, “At the point of taking over Medway Council [in May 2023], we discovered there were no serious proposals from businesses to move onto the site.”
The project’s redesign has drawn criticism from former Medway Council leader Alan Jarrett, who expressed disappointment that the project had been “ruined” by the current Labour administration. However, the council maintains that the revised plan aligns with current market demands and ensures the development’s long-term success.
A report detailing the future of the IPM project is scheduled for discussion at a cabinet meeting on March 11th. The council will provide further updates following this meeting, outlining the next steps for the development.
