ROCHESTER'S much-delayed riverside development could be moving forward. Three companies have been talking with Medway Council since The Way Forward conference last June attracted around 200 investors to Medway.

The project involves the redevelopment of the area between Rochester Bridge, the station and Chatham boundary. Much of the land is owned by Medway Council.

It is keen to see the derelict and overgrown riverfront area of disused rail sidings, abandoned warehouses and heavy industry converted into homes, shops and offices. The talks have been taking place in strict confidence.

In the past fortnight both Medway Cabinet and the full Council have sat in secret session, and reached agreement to push the scheme ahead.

If the development goes ahead it will form one of the key parts of regenerating Medway as Kent's City of the Future. But it follows decisions by previous development partners to pull out of the prestige scheme twice in the past few years.

They are understood to have been concerned about the council's high aspirations, and a lack of return on their investment after funding millions to clean the site.

No one from the council was prepared to speak about the development.