Over 1,000 new homes are set to be built in Rochester, Kent.

UK developer Countryside has teamed up with the Hyde Group to sign a £400 million development agreement with Medway Council and The Homes and Community Agency (HCA) to deliver the Rochester Riverside scheme.

The 1,300-home regeneration project will be developed across a 30-hectare site. Features include a new community-based primary school, a nursery, leisure and healthcare facilities, workspace, two hotels and a number of retail units, together with four hectares of open space including a 2.5 km riverside walkway.

Designed by HTA and BPTW, the Countryside/Hyde JV will act as joint home builders of the scheme, with Hyde taking on the long-term management and maintenance of the 'affordable' homes.


Cllr Rodney Chambers said: "This is a really important step for our flagship regeneration project which will further enhance the riverside and support the economic regeneration of Medway. The proposed development is set to boost the local economy providing new jobs, shops and facilities.

"Rochester Riverside is a major part of our ambitious 20-year regeneration plan for Medway, helping us to meet the needs of Medway's growing population, with more homes, a new school and other much needed amenities, all well connected to the historic heart of Rochester and the new railway station."

Andy Fancy, Operations Director of Countryside's Partnerships South division said: “We are very excited to be involved in the Rochester Riverside project and are looking forward to working with Medway Council, HCA and Hyde to regenerate the area. We share an ambition with the Council to redevelop the current sites whilst placing people at the heart of the process."

David Gannicott, Group Business Development Director at Hyde, said: "We are delighted to be working with Countryside, Medway Council and the HCA to help create a thriving community here at Rochester."

(LM)