A multi-million pound project which will showcase the story of Chatham Historic Dockyard’s world-class naval and military history has moved a step closer.

The Command of the Oceans will include an impressive new entrance on the north side of
the visitor attraction and a discovery centre linking the former naval base with other significant heritage sites including Fort Amherst, the Great Lines and Upnor Castle.

At the heart of the £8.5m scheme is the conservation of the remains of the Namur warship, discovered beneath the floor of the Wheelwrights’ Shop.

Another focus of the extensive redevelopment will be to reconnect some of the dockyard’s earliest features, including the North and South Mast Ponds, built in 1696 and 1702, the Mast Houses and Mould Loft and the Wheelwright’s Shop.

The revamp will extend over 4.5 hectares and will act as a starting point to explore the dockyard and embark on defence discovery trails nearby. The plans, which have been submitted to the council, also include an upgraded car park within the covered slip No 5, children’s play area and a new cafe.

The Command of the Oceans project has already secured £4.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the race is on to virtually match this allocation within 15 months.