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Former University for the Creative Arts campus in Rochester could become flats

By: Megan Carr mcarr@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 12:52, 15 September 2023

A former university is up for sale and could be converted into almost 130 flats.

The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) campus in Fort Pitt, Rochester, has been listed on Rightmove following its closure.

The University for the Creative Arts in Rochester

With a history spanning 170 years, the college has produced some of the most famous names in the fashion and arts world.

In May it was confirmed UCA would be closing its doors this month despite high-profile campaigns and petitions to keep it in the Medway Towns.

The controversial move to transfer to colleges in Canterbury and Farnham and Epsom in Surrey led to redundancies.

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The relocation, which was announced in May 2021, was blamed on not having the £17 million needed to upgrade the landmark building on Fort Pitt Hill, high running costs and cuts in government funding.

The 1.82-acre site includes a large detached building, arranged over nine storeys and includes lecture halls, workshops, studios and offices.

Inside the UCA. Picture: Curtis Tappenden

There are various terraces on the flat roofs and two car parks with about 30 parking spaces.

A pre-application document was prepared by Savills Planning on behalf of UCA and submitted to Medway Council on June 2.

A pre-application response, dated July 28, has been received which confirms the principle of a residential use on the site as a potential alternative use.

Child Graddon Lewis was appointed by UCA to prepare a residential concept scheme and the council indicated a preference for a development comprising only apartments.

However, Savills has confirmed “there is potential to explore further opportunities for a terrace of townhouses on the lower elevations”.

Empty classrooms at UCA, Rochester

The preferred scheme would mean the building would be divided into 128 flats.

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Of these 15 would be studios, 72 would be one-bedroom flats, 25 would be two-bedroom flats and 16 would be three-bedroom flats.

The proposals involve splitting the existing building into two blocks, upper and lower, with both having their own entrances, amenity spaces, bin and bike stores.

All apartments would have private amenity spaces through either balconies or roof deck terraces.

In the properties description Savills commented: “The current proposal includes extending the height of two blocks to take advantage of the extensive views from the top of the building.

“However, during the engagement with planning officers, they were reluctant to see the height increase on the upper elevations citing heritage concerns. There may yet be scope to explore this further with technical input.”

For more information about the sale click here.

The site is in Fort Pitt Hill Road, off New Road.

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