Nearly 300 homes to be built next to Chatham Historic Dockyard by 2026

Countryside has secured a contract to potentially create 274 homes across two disused parcels of land next to the Historic Dockyard in Chatham.

The London-based housing developer has been selected as the preferred partner to deliver the project with government housing agency Homes England, which owns the two sites referred to as 'Interface Land' off Dock Road and Western Avenue.

Spanning 2.7 hectares, the proposed mixed-use development will have the potential to deliver 274 new homes of which 25% will be affordable housing and with over 11,000 sq ft of commercial space.

Work is expected to start on the first parcel of land in late 2022, while work on the second site is earmarked for the end of 2023. The overall completion for the entire development is expected to be 'during 2026'.

The two sites at Interface Land, Chatham Maritime

Stephen Kinsella, Chief Land and Development Officer at Homes England, said: "The development of the Chatham sites will conclude the 30-year Chatham Maritime regeneration and it is fitting that Countryside, a long-term partner at Chatham, completes the final homes."

​The two sites that make up the Interface Land have remained empty for several decades, both being located within the original dockyard before it closed in 1984 after 400 years in operation.

Bold aspirations for the Interface Land surfaced in October 2010 when a development framework document outlining the potential of the sites was adopted by Medway Council.

However, this document was later replaced by a new development brief in June 2018, which was more in-line with the 'changing economic and planning circumstances to bring forward the development'.

The updated development brief earmarked the site's potential for a 'residential-led development with opportunities for supporting mixed uses including commercial uses such as offices, cafés and restaurants.'

A CGI showing how the land could look by 2026 from above

​Furthermore, the brief states that the two sites' contrasting riverside and historic settings could accommodate a mixture between a 'contemporary' and 'traditional' style of development.

It is understood that BPTW Architects will be designing and masterplanning the development on behalf of Countryside and Homes England.

Countryside and Homes England have not yet submitted a planning application for their proposals to Medway Council.

Photos: Countryside, Medway Council, BPTW