amcguinness@thekmgroup.co.uk

The developer behind ambitious plans to transform Chatham Docks hopes to begin work on the site next year after the project passed a major hurdle.

Peel Land and Property’s £650 million vision for the land in Pier Road, Gillingham, which they claim will create 3,500 jobs, was given outline planning permission by Medway Council this summer.

It was then referred to the government because it goes against the council’s development policy.

Today it was announced the Secretary of State has decided not to examine the plans any further, giving the developers the green light to press on with the project.

The huge plan on the 26-acre site will include up to 475 student apartments, a hotel with 200 bedrooms and 950 flats and houses.

Also planned is an Asda supermarket, multi-storey car park, office space, shops and university facilities.

A conference centre similar to Media City in Salford, Greater Manchester, is also envisaged to host media events, trade shows and conferences.

Cllr Rodney Chambers, leader of Medway Council, said the project is “a major step forward for the regeneration of Medway”.

He said: “Not only will it create thousands of jobs for residents in the near future, but it will provide opportunities for future growth and unrivalled facilities for residents and visitors alike to enjoy and benefit from.”

James Whittaker, development director at Peel said: “Our proposals will regenerate and breathe new life into a significant area of the dockland and give the region a real economic boost.”

The next step is for the developers to submit more detailed plans for the site.

Peel must do this within 10 years or it will have to apply for fresh planning permission.

The types of buildings that will be on the 26-acre site has been agreed, as has the maximum height of them.

Gillingham Football Club had claimed the developer’s plan would end their hopes of a new stadium in Medway, but the club has since pushed ahead with work on a stadium nearby off Yokosuka Way.