Councillors have given the green light to a major residential and retail development in Rochester.

Medway Council's planning committee approved plans submitted by developers Quinn Estates for more than 300 homes, shops, offices and food outlets at Bardell Wharf.

The mixed-use scheme is a key part of the jigsaw for the ongoing regeneration of the area.

Quinn Estates worked closely with the council, Historic England and Design South East over a number of months to develop revised proposals, in response to a desire to reduce the overall scale of the development.

As a result of extensive public and statutory consultation the proposed warehouse style tower will no longer form part of the scheme, with the residential component adapted so that building scale increases towards the railway line but is reduced towards the High Street and neighbouring listed buildings.

Bardell Wharf will deliver 121 one-bed and 210 two-bed apartments. Of that, 223 will have private terraces, while 35 will be affordable housing.

Developed in partnership with Classicus Estates, it will also deliver over 20,000 sq ft of retail, professional services, food and new leisure space.

Mark Quinn, CEO and chairman of Quinn Estates, said: “We’re delighted that Medway Council’s planning committee has given the go-ahead to our proposals for this gateway town centre scheme.

“We’re looking forward to working with the local authority in delivering its regeneration vision for Rochester. It’s an area that is already enjoying massive investment and it’s great to be part of that story. We’re excited to be able to take these plans forward with their support.

“It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this point, but the end result will be a landmark scheme that will not only fully support the council’s wider objectives for Rochester town centre but act as a catalyst for further investment and regeneration."

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