Medway Council has agreed to lease land to BAE Systems to support its multi-million pound upgrade to its Rochester facilities.
BAE Systems, which is already Medway’s largest private employer, announced plans last year (2024) to invest £220million to develop a new state-of-the-art factory on its site north of Rochester Airport. The significant renovation is expected to create 300 jobs over the next five years.
Medway’s Cabinet met on Tuesday, 11 March to discuss its next steps with the site at Innovation Park Medway (IPM) in Rochester. This included agreeing a recommendation to permit the completion of a lease of land.
This follows discussions between Medway Council and BAE Systems to lease some of the land on the northern site of IPM until the end of 2028. This will allow the advanced aerospace technologies company to temporarily relocate its existing staff car park whilst the multi-million pound development takes place.
Residents and road users will be unaffected by the lease agreement, with the same number of car parking spaces being provided to what is currently in place at BAE Systems.
Play our part
Cllr Simon Curry, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Strategic Regeneration, said: “I am pleased we are able to play our part in supporting BAE Systems’ multi-million pound renovation project. The business is one of the world’s leading aerospace, technology-led defence and information security companies and makes a huge contribution locally; it is Medway’s largest private employer with a 1,700 strong workforce and its expansion plans will further boost the local economy with the creation of 300 new jobs.
“The lease agreement will be in place until 2028 and during this time we will push forward with creating more permanent plans for the best use of this site.”
BAE Systems’ new facility will combine manufacturing, engineering and office space – providing a refreshed, modern and flexible working environment. Work is already underway to prepare the site for the major redevelopment and construction of the new factory.
Continue our vital work
BAE Systems’ Rochester Business Centre Site Director, Dave Banks, said: “Medway Council have been supportive of our growth plans and ambitions to bring even more highly skilled jobs to the local area. The IPM lease will allow us to continue our vital work, which is of national importance, whilst we build our new factory and continue our rich heritage of engineering and aerospace in Medway.”
Important place in Medway's economy
Cllr Harinder Mahil, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic and Social Regeneration and Inward Investment, said: “BAE Systems has an important place in Medway’s economy and I am therefore pleased we are able to provide them with the short-term help needed so they can continue moving forward with the development of a new state-of-the-art factory. This is a great example of the One Medway approach - with the council and our largest employer working closely together. We fully support BAE Systems’ growth plans and the creation of high-quality jobs, which aligns with our One Medway Council Plan.”
The report taken to Medway’s Cabinet on the future use of the site at IPM also revealed plans for a mix of industrial and mid-tech for the northern site, as well as a care home and retirement units for the southern site.
More information will be shared on the plans for Innovation Park Medway as further decisions are made. Find out more information about Innovation Park Medway.