What’s happening across Chatham
Your Future Chatham
Millions of pounds are being invested in Chatham to make it a better place for you to live, work, learn and visit.
Take a look at our list of regeneration projects across Medway:
Chatham Design Code
We are working with Create Streets to create a design code for Chatham. This will be a conversation with people who work, live and use Chatham on how we can improve and continue the regeneration of this historic town.
More about Chatham Design Code
The Paddock
The area will benefit from increased biodiversity with a diverse range of planting as well as improved seating, accessibility and lighting.
Works have started on site and the project is due to be completed by spring 2024.
St John’s Church
The Grade II* listed church will be restored, in partnership with the Diocese of Rochester. This will provide facilities for the local community to use for events and classes, flexible meeting spaces for businesses, a café area as well as continuing as a place of worship.
The Pentagon Centre
Space on the first floor will be transformed to provide a new Healthy Living Centre. We’re working in partnership with the NHS to deliver the facility, which will help improve local health services for the community by providing access to GP services and a pharmacy.
The first floor will also be home to an Innovation Hub which will support small start-up businesses as well as offer:
- shared desks
- private offices
- robust amenities
- meeting rooms
- events.
The Innovation Hub will act as a catalyst for entrepreneurs, innovators, and local businesses in Medway.
Debenhams
We have bought the former retail store and plans are being reviewed on how the vacant building could be best used to help create jobs, increase footfall in the town centre and support residents’ needs.
The 4 projects mentioned above have been funded by £9.49 million from the government’s Future High Streets Fund to inject investment to revitalise the high street and improve the visitor experience.
The Brook Theatre
We received additional Levelling Up Funding of £6.5 million, alongside the Future High Streets Fund grant, to modernise and refurbish the Grade II* listed theatre. This will improve accessibility, modernised with a state-of-the-art workspace.
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Additional funding of £7.9 million will be used to invest in 2 historic landmarks at The Historic Dockyard Chatham. The Docking Station will become a unique creative facility, with various workspaces. The Fitted Rigging House will provide space for creative enterprises expanding out of The Docking Station and The Brook Theatre.
Chatham House
Renovation of front and side elevation and reinstate an updated version of the original porch and its railings (this project was completed in summer 2022).
Chatham Memorial Synagogue
Repairs to the exterior (this project was completed in spring 2022).
Sun Pier
New information panels to celebrate the history of the pier (this project was completed in spring 2022).
Magees Café
A new shopfront.
The last 4 projects mentioned above have been funded by £1.6 million from Historic England to help property owners between Sun Pier and Star Hill undertake repairs and reinstate historic architectural features.
Medway Development Company schemes
We created Medway Development Company Ltd. to deliver high-quality residential developments that are integrated into the wider regeneration initiatives being implemented by the council. Chatham has been the focus of a multi-million-pound regeneration programme to further improve the area for visitors, locals, businesses and developers.
This includes the following projects:
Mountbatten House
This iconic building has dominated the Chatham skyline for nearly 50 years. As part of our ambitious Chatham regeneration programme, the building will be totally transformed into a high-quality residential development, with a contemporary rooftop restaurant.
Garrison Point
A tranquil development of 115 one and 2-bedroom apartments, offering you both modern convenience and breath-taking views of the surrounding historic parks and woodland. This fantastic location in the heart of Chatham town centre (situated at the top of Whiffens Avenue) is just a short walk away from the high street, theatres and bus station.
Chatham Waterfront
Delivering Chatham’s newest riverside community. Offering 175 one, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments, these stylish homes will be set in beautifully landscaped open space near the heart of the town centre.
The 3 projects mentioned above have been funded with £120 million from Medway Council to support the delivery programme.
Other improvements
There are lots of other improvement works going on in the area, in addition to Medway Council and government funded projects.
209 to 217 High Street
The car sales garage will be converted into student accommodation.
The Waterworks Building, St Barts Hospital
Renovation of the vacant Grade II* building, enabling it to be brought back into use.
St Barts Hospital
The former hospital will be converted into 155 apartments.
Anchorage House
The office block will be transformed into 85 apartments.