A landmark scheme to bring high-tech firms to the Medway Towns has suffered a setback with the decision to delay the construction of a £14.5 million building.

The six-storey hub was expected to form the centrepiece of Innovation Park Medway (IPM) at Rochester Airport.

But it's been revealed the project has been temporarily scaled back, with confusion over how many companies have so far signed up to move to the site.

Despite being asked twice for a number this week, Medway Council would not answer, while leader Cllr Alan Jarrett (Con) said he didn't know when quizzed on Tuesday.

The IPM has been tipped to provide scores of high-skilled jobs in the technology and science fields.

If all goes according to plan, it will eventually feature 34 plots across northern and southern sections of the airport site.

The decision not to go ahead with the main building, which is planned for the entrance of the park, was made while the council looks for outside funding for it.

Back in 2019, the authority had set aside the £14.5 million from its coffers but there has since been a change of heart.

A potential draw for businesses looking to locate to IPM was a relief in business rates as the site was designated as part of the North Kent Enterprise Zone, meaning a company could save up to £55,000 a year for five years.

However, this status is due to run out this month despite attempts to extend it, and it remains unclear how many tenants the park has lined up, if any.

The council would only say “a number of inquiries” from "several" companies in the food technology, digital innovation, and the university sector had been received.

Cllr Jarrett said the project had been hit by major problems linked to the pandemic and archaeological works.

He said: "The money's still in the budget for (the building), over £14 million.

"We will provide it when two things coincide: firstly, when we have external funding to help us with it, and secondly, when the business case's operation works because at the moment it doesn't."

The Tory leader went on to say how the ground works on the park's southern site had been completed and it was now in the marketing stage.

The northern end's ground works had successfully been tendered.

He added: "The IPM itself is on track and I expect it to be the success we have planned for.

"What's messed everything up of course is the pandemic. It's put everything behind and it's just been so frustrating.

"The archaeological works have held us up to the tune of over £1 million and something like six to nine months delay."

During last month's full council meeting, Cllr Simon Curry – Labour's spokesman for regeneration, culture and the environment – asked Cllr Jarrett to confirm whether the landmark building was still going ahead.

This was after it was included in the council's strategy document for the coming financial year.

Speaking afterwards, he added: "Bearing in mind the pandemic and the fact that so many of us are hybrid working, do we really want to invest that much money in an iconic building of offices that may not ever be needed?

"We would like to know more detail about what the council's plans are in terms of what the needs are for office space in Medway generally and where it should be.

"We are not saying we are against it, we're saying have they reviewed the need for it?"

"What's messed everything up of course is the pandemic. It's put everything behind and it's just been so frustrating..."

Meanwhile, ward councillor Rupert Turpin (Con) believes the park could be an important addition to the Medway Towns – if it takes off.

He said: "This is a great opportunity. High-quality innovative tech/science start ups or rapidly expanding companies working in a campus-like setting will foster creativity and success will follow.

"I really hope after the hiatus of the pandemic that ambitious companies see this location as attractive and be inspired to make a fresh start here."

So far, £10.3 million for the project has been given to the council from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) through the Local Growth Fund, and a £650,000 loan from the Growing Places Fund.

It is estimated an additional sum of just under £37 million will need to be borrowed over 20 years to fully deliver the infrastructure and public realm across the park.