Scheme in Kent on site by the end of the year

Rochester riverside

Countryside has received planning permission for a £400m development in Rochester that could deliver as many as 1,400 homes, a quarter of which will be affordable.

Working with housing association Hyde Group, the project is on 50 acres of brownfield development land and will also deliver 1,200 sq m of commercial space at Rochester Riverside in Kent.

The site, which comprises 50 acres of brownfield development land by the River Medway, stretches from Rochester Bridge in the north to Doust Way in the south.

A new riverside community will feature homes, provision for a primary school and nursery, an hotel, a pedestrian footbridge, parking, open space and more than 10 acreas of open space.

Work is anticipated to begin later this year with the first new homes due for completion in 2019. The site will make a huge contribution to meeting local housing need, with 25% of new homes earmarked as affordable.

HTA is the lead designer on the overall seven-phase masterplan, while the bptw partnership has overseen detailed designs for phases one to three.

Andy Fancy, managing director at Countryside Partnerships South, said Rochester Riverside would transform the area by offering new homes and creating a new hub for the local area.

“Throughout the planning process we consulted with the local community to deliver a landmark scheme that is not only in keeping with the surrounding architecture but will benefit Rochester. We are delighted to be able to get started,” he added.

Countryside, which issued an upbeat trading statement earlier this month, is due to unveil its full year results on 22 November.