by Alan Watkins

A team of experts fighting to rescue a historic building from demolition has come up with fresh ideas that would save it and transform the riverfront.

SAVE Britain’s Heritage and the City of Rochester Society have raised support across the world to preserve the Aveling and Porter headquarters.

It became the core of the headquarters of Medway Council before its move from Strood to Gun Wharf.

Last night councillors were debating a 1,000-strong petition and could delay bulldozing the Edwardian red sandstone building beside the Rochester Bridge.

SAVE wants it as the centrepiece of a new quayside development of shops and apartments, with a boardwalk looking to the castle and cathedral.

They insist the building is in a good condition and should be retained.

Secretary William Palin said: “SAVE’s new vision for Strood looks to take full advantage of the town’s wonderful position on the River Medway with views to two of the finest Norman monuments in England.

“At present, the Strood waterfront is a desultory place with no more than a patch of grass and a large expanse of car parks backed by cheap sheds along a ring road.”

The council’s own consultants have said the same, but until the land can be developed councillors plan it becomes another car park.

Architect Huw Thomas’s plans for SAVE include a new quayside running 200 yards along the river and neighbouring creek, a riverside promenade, an undercroft of shops and cafes with a first-floor boardwalk providing entry into the houses and flats.

The picture shows how Huw Thomas conceives Strood waterfront with the Aveling and porter building preserved as apartments.

The Aveling and Porter Building would become apartments.

Mr Palin said: “It is a tragedy that short-term economics are being used to deprive Strood of one of its key heritage assets. This is a building of which local people are extremely proud.

“If it was retained it could form the prestigious centrepiece of a new residential development.”

Marcus Binney, SAVE’s president, said: “This could give Strood a riverfront to match Rochester.”

See Tales from Gun Wharf on this site.