Plans to build a new employment and enterprise campus at Chatham Waters have been given the go-ahead.

Medway Council’s Planning Committee have approved plans this week to transform an 18acre Industrial Estate in Gillingham, Medway into a high-spec employment and enterprise campus called Basin3.

The approved plans were submitted by waterside regeneration specialists Peel Waters who are the landowners of the site. Peel’s approved plans will transform the existing brownfield land into circa 31,000m² of adaptable workspace, bringing with it the opportunity to create hundreds of new jobs and apprenticeships in Medway.

The high-quality, sustainable and versatile waterfront space that will be delivered as part of the Basin3 campus will actively promote job creation by catering to businesses aligned with the council’s target growth sectors. These sectors encompass creative, manufacturing and technology; life sciences; IT and digital along with dedicated spaces and workshops for start-ups and smaller independent businesses.


Located next to Medway's university cluster, the new Basin3 employment and enterprise campus will act as a catalyst for innovation and collaboration; helping retain talent and knowledge in Medway, by creating new opportunities for graduates.

Future-proofing the site against climate change has also been at the forefront of the approved plans. Peel will raise the land to improve flood resilience and all the new buildings will utilise green technology and be at the cutting edge of energy efficiency.

Enhanced connectivity and improved sustainable transport options have also been key to Peel’s vision for Basin3. The approved development will see the creation of a new waterside footpath and cycle way stretching over half a kilometre, connecting existing residential communities as well as safely opening up part of the Medway waterfront to the public for the first time in its history.

The approved Basin3 development aligned with all the relevant policies in Medway’s statutory development plan and the National Planning Policy Framework and received no objections from the statutory consultees.