Hundreds of new affordable apartments have officially been opened as part of an ongoing waterfront regeneration project.

The new development in Medway – known as Cavalier Court – features a block of 237 flats, as well as eight ground-floor townhouses.

It forms part of the wider Chatham Waters regeneration project which has attracted opposition from some due to its controversial blueprint for Chatham Docks.

The block was officially opened by Medway Council’s portfolio holder for housing and property, Cllr Naushabah Khan (Lab) alongside representatives from the development owners, Legal & General Affordable Homes, contractors O’Halloran & O’Brien, and waterside regeneration specialists, Peel Waters, on Tuesday (January 16).

Peel Waters is in the process of delivering its masterplan which will transform the area, building a series of apartment buildings and creating a business and enterprise campus.

Their proposal for Chatham Docks, which they call Basin 3 in their plans, would see the demolition of the existing buildings and the creation of 19 business units of varying sizes.

But it has faced significant opposition from the Save Chatham Docks campaign, which has been supported by a cross-section of local politicians, including Kelly Tolhurst MP for Rochester and Strood (Con) and Medway Council leader Vince Maple (Lab).

At a public question and answer session with the local Labour leader in November he was asked about whether he would keep his promise to keep the site as a working dockyard.

Cllr Maple said he wanted to get Peel Waters, who owns the land to be redeveloped, and the Save Chatham Docks campaigners into a room to discuss possible routes forward, and said it was likely a meeting would take place in January.

Peel has invested over £125 million into Chatham Waters so far, constructing new homes, infrastructure, and public spaces, such as the waterfront promenade, as well as the Waterfront UTC.

Of the 237 new flats, Cavalier Court is a mix of 139 homes available for shared ownership and 98 for rent at the local housing allowance level, providing homes to those on Medway Council’s affordable housing waiting list.

To be eligible for an apartment in Cavalier Court applicants must have a household income less than £80,000 per year, be unable to find a suitable home on the open market, not currently own a home, and priority will be given to applicants with a connection to Medway.

Speaking at the opening, Cllr Khan said : “I was delighted to attend and formally open and cut the ribbon at Cavalier Court.

“It was great to the see the outcome of collaborative work between Peel Waters, Legal & General Affordable Homes, and Medway Council in bringing forward a scheme with 25% affordable housing.

“This will be a real help to people living and working in Medway, who will be given first priority for this brilliant, high-quality development.”

James Whittaker, executive director of Peel Waters, said: “We’re proud to have developed Cavalier Court on behalf of Legal & General Affordable Homes, bringing much needed, high-quality affordable housing to Medway.

“We have a vision to create a place for everyone, and the key to delivering this is by developing mixed tenure communities across our Peel Waters portfolio.

“These new affordable homes, which sit alongside the award-winning apartments located at The Kell and Manica, and next to our future care home and elderly living site, will all complement each other, each offering something different and creating an inclusive neighbourhood which broadens and enhances our growing waterside community here at Chatham Waters.”

Key plans related to the main controversy surrounding Chatham Docks are anticipated to be submitted later this week, or early next.