A prominent derelict site at the end of Rochester High Street is to be given a new life after revised designs for a major residential scheme were approved by Medway Council’s Planning Committee.
Ironmonger Yard is the housing scheme that landowners Donard Living proposed for the site at the junction of Rochester High Street, Corporation Street and Star Hill.
The new proposal offers 296 homes in a mix of built-to-rent, built-for-sale, affordable and later-living apartments. A new public garden is part of the design.
The site had previously been granted planning permission for a larger scheme of 374flats. However, Donard Living revised and updated its designs to provide a smaller development that is more in keeping with the area.
Steven Flannery, CEO of Donard Living, said: “The Ironmonger Yard plans are designed totransform a part of Rochester that has been unused for many years.
“We already had planning permission for the site and could have gone ahead, but instead, we listened to local residents and felt it was important to refine our original scheme to better suit this historic area.
“We’re pleased the council recognised the work we had done to engage with the community, listened to their concerns and came back with a more sympathetic design that sits well alongside the surrounding listed buildings.
“We are now looking forward to beginning work on this project to bring much-needed homes in the heart of Rochester.”
As part of the Ironmonger Yard project, the owners engaged a transport consultant to review the Star Hill junction to draw up plans to redesign and improve pedestrian safety and reconnect the High Street.
Donard Living has agreed to make a financial contribution towards this as part of a legal agreement with Medway Council.
As part of the proposals, Donard Living was advised by Todd Architects, planning advisors Savills, Milestone Transport Planning and PR and community engagement consultants Maxim.
