It has been announced that Medway Council is bidding for a share of a national £44 million fund to transform and revive a historic high street sandwiched between Rochester and Chatham. Medway Council is hoping to secure at least £1.6 million from the High Streets Heritage Action Zones scheme funded by Historic England, in order to support a £3.2 million heritage-led regeneration programme of an area historically known as 'Chatham Intra', which is located within the Star Hill to Sun Pier Conservation Area between Rochester and Chatham. The 'Chatham Intra' area between Rochester and Chatham - © Google Maps If Medway Council's bid is successful, and with the support from other partners, the proposed £3.2 million scheme could begin as early as spring 2020. It is hoped that the funding will go towards four initiatives, including:
However, the vision to regenerate an area infamously known for its problems with prostitution and street drinking - sometimes referred to as Medway's very own "red light district" - stretches back to over a decade ago. In 2004, Medway Council adopted a Planning & Design strategy for the Star Hill to Sun Pier Conservation Area, outlining the vision to create a mixed-use 'alternative quarter' that reinforces the area's historical identity and promotes the use of the waterfront. Since 2004, the area has seen some significant investment in the form of a joint £1.6 million grant between Medway Council and Heritage Lottery Fund to restore over 35 historic buildings. The area has also benefited from a developing a small restaurant/pub quarter, along with a handful of creative and cultural industries moving in to some of the riverside buildings. "This funding will help preserve the history and tell the story of the Chatham Intra area to create a Heritage Creative Quarter..." Commenting on the bid, Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Alan Jarrett, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to apply for funding to further invest in our high streets.
"We are committed to ensuring that our high streets continue to thrive and if successful, this funding will help preserve the history and tell the story of the Chatham Intra area to create a Heritage Creative Quarter. "The bid further supports our ambition for Chatham to become a leading waterfront university city centre by 2035.” Historic England are expected to announce which schemes will go forward to the second stage of bidding later this year during autumn 2019.
Dave
23/7/2019 07:36:37
I seem to remember some years ago, the idea was to promote 'cafe' society. With wide pavements to allow for seating, a one way traffuc system. This would help. Pavements that looked as if they wern't just dumped there woukd akso help aka new pavement in Military Road out side Pentagin Comments are closed.
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