Planning permission has been granted for hundreds of homes on a prominent corner plot in a historic town centre despite concerns about road safety.

The plans to develop Bardell Wharf, in Rochester, which have been some 30 years in the making, were given the nod yesterday.

Permission for 331 homes and more than 20,000 sq ft of commercial space on the same site, off the High Street at the corner of Corporation Street, was previously granted in 2019.

Under the fresh proposals, from Donard Homes, there would be 374 flats divided between three blocks, the highest of which would be 11 storeys.

There would also be space for three commercial units and 10% of the homes would be affordable.

A decision on the plans had been due last month but councillors decided they wanted more time to think about the proposed changes to a crossing on Star Hill.

Under the developer's plans, the pedestrian crossing at the bottom of the hill would be moved further towards Corporation Street.

Councillors visited the site on Saturday and voted on the plans yesterday (Wednesday, January 11).

Head of planning Dave Harris said the new plans for the wider development were better than the previously approved application.

He also explained how a condition would be set whereby a highways improvement plan would have to be submitted to the council for approval before there could be any building above ground level.

Ward councillor Stuart Tranter (Con) said he thought it was important to maintain a good pedestrian link between Rochester High Street and the Chatham Intra area – where the road becomes Chatham High Street – both for the future residents of Bardell Wharf and those living at Rochester Riverside.

However, he remained concerned about the five-way junction of Star Hill, Corporation Street, the two high streets and Victoria Street.

He added: "The current proposal, whichever way we look at it, is not good enough even though I understand the argument.

"The whole junction is not good enough for many reasons including the temptation for motorists to make illegal turnings."

Previously, Cllr Tranter said he thought it was disappointing how the contributions the developers would be expected to pay only included a £103,000 payment towards special protection areas.

He said he would have liked to have seen funds for things such as new planters or newly-painted railings.

Mr Harris told councillors the developer said it could arrange for its contractors to carry out some works benefiting the community whilst they are on site.

Cllr Simon Curry (Lab), who was the only member of the planning committee to vote against the plans, said: "We really should be getting a significant contribution to the community for a development of this scale and size, in the centre of our most important tourist area for Medway.

"I do feel in principle that this development is too big, it's out of character with the area and should not have been allowed."