Design South East’s advice and recommendations over more than a decade of involvement supported the development of a newly-completed riverside neighbourhood that achieved ‘Winner of Winners’ and ‘Building for a Healthy Life’ Housing Design Awards 2020.
Overview
The site was formerly riverside industrial land that supported the Royal Navy but became redundant after the Chatham Dockyard shut in 1984. Design South East was first involved with proposals for the redevelopment of Rochester Riverside in 2004, carrying out a competition for a link bridge to connect Rochester town to the riverside site. DSE carried out a design review of the overall masterplan and development brief (for 1,400 homes plus squares, parks, a primary school, two hotels and local shops) in May 2014, and a design workshop to explore ‘Successful Placemaking’ and to review the emerging masterplan for Phase 1 of the development (131 dwellings) in 2016. Phase 1A (completed) included a civic square adjacent to the newly rebuilt Rochester Station, a coffee shop, hotel and convenience store to provide amenities for the new community.
Key Facts
- Site Location: Rochester, Kent
- Architect: BPTW
- Landscape Architect: LUC
- Developer: Countryside Properties plc, The Hyde Group
- Local Authority: Medway Council
- Schedule of Accommodation: 131 dwellings (59 houses, 72 apartments)
- Tenure Mix: 22% Affordable, 78% Private
- Site Size: 2.97 hectares
Image © Countryside Properties plc.