More than 500 homes are set to be built in a run-down area of a town centre.

Planning permission has been approved for 154 flats and houses at Rochester Riverside, the flagship £419 million regeneration scheme on the banks of the River Medway.

Meanwhile at the neighbouring derelict Bardell Wharf site, 374 properties are earmarked near Star Hill at the end of the historic high street.

A public exhibition to survey plans to develop the site will be held on Wednesday between 2pm and 8pm at The Royal Function Rooms, Star Hill.

Rochester Independent College has already applied for an 85-bedroom four-storey student accommodation block, including a cafe, common room and laundry room.

The halls will be within walking distance of the private school on St Margaret's Banks.

The rest of the development will comprise mixed use housing set in four blocks of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and will be at least 25% affordable housing.

Paul Thornton, of consultants Donard Homes, said: "Our proposals revise the original planning permission giving a greater range of homes and more landscaped open space.

"We're looking forward to sharing the plans with the community and hope to meet many of you during our drop-in exhibition."

The former Bourne and Hillier dairy, Peugeot car showroom and AF Smith hardware shop, were originally on the site next to the old Rochester railway station.

Meanwhile, Medway Council has given the go-ahead to phase 7 of Rochester Riverside, stretching down to Doust Way completing the southern end of the development.

It comprises one-bedroom apartments to four bedroom homes with at least 10 of these for shared ownership.

With the first completions expected in summer 2024, this stage will also include a further section of the 2.5km river walkway and public artwork.

The developers Countryside and Hyde is overseeing a mixed-tenure community of up to 1,400 homes with a primary school, nursery, hotel, offices, open green spaces and landscaping over 12 years.

Phases 1 and 2 are now finished comprising 331 homes, a Travelodge hotel Co-op food store and Costa coffee shop.

Phase 3 is currently under construction and will include 171 homes, a waterfront park with the first residents due to move in the summer.

Guy Slocombe, chief investment officer at Hyde, said: "This is an outstanding scheme which has already won multiple awards, is set to be an exciting year for the development."

Andrew Usher, Countryside managing director, said: "From one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom houses, this varied range of homes will cater to all Medway residents and those further afield looking to make this flourishing location home."