Revised housing and junction improvement plan at controversial former Bardell Wharf site in historic Rochester town centre unveiled

A revised plan to revitalise a rundown part of a historic town centre and improve a dangerous road junction is to go on display.

The proposal to develop a prominent corner, formerly known as Bardell Wharf in Rochester, has been back to the drawing board several times over the years.

Planning permission had been given for a larger project with 374 homes, but this has now been amended with a view to providing a smaller development more in-keeping with the character of surroundings.

The new scheme, now named Ironmonger Yard, has been downsized to 296 flats spread across four blocks - a reduction of 26% - and providing a mix of one, two and three-bed homes.

A public garden is proposed and the Star Hill junction has been redesigned to improve pedestrian safety and reconnect the High Street - something which proved a point of contention in the bid to get its previous planning consent.

As part of its strategy, the developer and their transport consultants have undertaken a major study of the junction and have devised what they believe to be a solution to the ongoing safety issues.

By narrowing the highway, it’s thought it would be possible to create a new four-way crossing point at the junction to improve linkages between the High Street and Chatham Intra for a better pedestrian experience.

A Section 106 agreement could make a contribution towards the funding of this road improvement but the designs suggested would be for the council to consider for implementation and wouldn’t form part of the planning application itself.

The new development will also introduce bicycle storage area for residents, while at least 20% of car parking spaces will have electric vehicle charging points.

At one point the substantial brownfield site, which has remained derelict for decades, was home to the now-defunct Bourne and Hillier dairy along with a collection of warehouses and industrial buildings.

In the past, designs which have included three blocks, one with 11 storeys, have been rejected by council planners and councillors.

Objections to some controversial plans for the housing project have been lodged by the City of Rochester Society, which said the scheme was oversized and would impact the High Street and Chatham Intra conservation areas.

These comments were echoed by Historic England, who felt the height of the buildings could impact the historical skyline of Rochester.

The current developer Donard Living is unveiling its plans which are being put out for consultation.

According to the Belfast-based firm, which is also behind plans to develop the former Buzz Bingo site in Chatham into housing, Ironmonger Yard provides a sustainable, “urban-centre solution” to help Medway meet its significant need for new homes, in an area with a lack of deliverable land.

The proposal will provide affordable housing alongside a mix of other property types, including built to rent, built-for-sale, and later living apartments.

“This development will transform an area of brownfield land that has been unused for many years, improving a badly neglected site at the end of the historic Rochester High Street,“ they firm states on its website promoting the site.

“The design of the scheme creates a strong street edge, and the mixed tenure of the scheme creates an inclusive community.

This development will transform an area of brownfield land that has been unused for many years

“It also improves upon an existing planning permission, offering a greater variety of homes in more sympathetically-designed buildings which will complement the local architectural vernacular, in particular through the use of bricks in the construction of the building, high quality paving and planting, and traditional roof shapes.
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”Landscaping will open up the area, offering high quality public realm with low-level planting and urban trees, including a pedestrian link between the historic High Street and the emerging residential development of Rochester Riverside.”

To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here.

Donard Living says it would work with registered housing providers to ensure high quality management of the new affordable homes.

A public exhibition is being held at Medway Adult Education Centre, Rochester Community Hub, Eastgate, Rochester ME1 1EW from 2pm to 7.30pm tomorrow (July10).

Experts from the project team will be on hand to answer questions, and people are welcome to drop in any time.

The consultation process will close on July 28 and a planning application is expected to be submitted next month. More details can be found here, while feedback on the project can be given here.

It is anticipated Medway Council will make a decision on the revised plan this autumn.

If approved, construction would get under way by the end of the year, or early next, with a view to the first homes being ready for occupation by 2027.