The latest phase of a 1,400-home riverside development on former brownfield land has been given the go-ahead.

Vistry and Hyde has got the green light from Medway Council to deliver 353 homes at Rochester Riverside as part of phases four and five of its £419million regeneration scheme.

The latest part of the ongoing project, which is being developed in partnership with the council and the government’s housing agency, Homes England, consists of 115 houses and 238 apartments.

Of the flats, 79 will be provided as affordable homes with the remaining tenure split to be finalised.

There will also be a new nursery, car and cycle parking, and public spaces, including an extension to the new 2.5km river walk and green spaces to link up the development with Rochester High Street.

With planning consent granted last month, the joint venture expects construction of both phases to start at the end of the year.

The detailed planning application follows an original hybrid application for up to 1,400 new homes at Rochester Riverside, which was approved in February 2018.

So far, 502 new homes have been delivered to new residents, as well as the two-form entry Rochester Riverside CofE Primary School, a new plaza surrounded by a Co-op, Costa and Travelodge hotel, and a public open space including a river walkway.

A retirement living facility has also been completed, owned and operated by Anchor, which is due to welcome its first residents later this year.

Brendan Evans, managing director for Vistry Kent, said: “Receiving approval for phases four and five enables us to continue delivering new homes and amenities at Rochester Riverside, which has been so well received by the local community thanks to its beautiful architecture and well-integrated community facilities.

“In partnership with Hyde we have already transformed much of this previously derelict site and in doing so created a new riverside community with over 500 mixed-tenure homes so far.

“We look forward to continuing this transformation and continuing to open up new areas along the River Medway for the first time.”

Plans for the final phase of the Rochester Riverside regeneration scheme are expected to be submitted for planning next year.