Demolition of homes in the heart of Rochester has begun as they are being replaced by new properties.

Most residents have moved out of the flats in Corporation Street and the properties opposite the Blue Boar Lane car park have been fenced off.

The area is being improved and redesigned as part of a multi-million pound package for the road. Medway’s largest landlord, mhs homes owns the properties and is building new flats and homes on the site.

The Chartway Group will build two five-storey flat blocks and the redevelopment will provide a 89 homes offering 53 shared ownership plots and 36 market rent homes, all with parking spaces.

Key features of the development will include a tree-lined boulevard on the east side of Corporation Street.

The scheme will be part-funded by £1.59 million from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) as part of a drive to expand the government’s shared ownership and affordable homes programme to help meet housing needs.

The homes being demolished were built in the late 1920s and 1950s and plans to redevelop them were first announced way back in the spring of 2015.

Ashley Hook, chief executive of mhs homes, said: “This vital development will help meet the diverse housing needs of the county and contribute to the regeneration of homes in Rochester.

“In Medway, house prices are almost eight times the average salary making home ownership unaffordable for many.

“We’re committed to building homes in places where they’re most needed and contribute to meeting the housing need in Kent.”

Tim McLoughlin, of Chartway Group, added: “We look forward to delivering our clients vision for Corporation Street and assisting with the construction of high quality affordable housing in Medway.”

A spokesman for mhs homes added: “Most people who were living in the homes have now left, either having found other rented homes or for those that were eligible, other affordable homes.

“The first phase is due to complete in November 2018.”