Plans for affordable homes and a new Central Park at Chatham Waters get green light

Peel L&P and Legal & General Affordable Homes (LGAH) have secured planning permission from Medway Council to deliver 237 affordable homes as part of the next phase of regeneration at Chatham Waters.  The planning permission is the next step towards realising the wider vision for Peel L&P’s Chatham Waters.

Plans were submitted for 237 affordable homes by Peel L&P and LGAH back in September. The mixture of shared ownership and affordable rented homes will include 1-and 2-bed apartments and 3-bed town houses. 

A further planning application for the Central Park at Chatham Waters, has also been approved by Medway Council.  It will provide over an acre of green space for local communities to enjoy, and will include trees, planting, seating and communal play areas.

Chatham Waters already includes a number of completed residential projects, including homes for sale and rent.  The 26-acre waterside destination is also home to a University Technical College, Marston’s family restaurant, Asda Superstore and extensive public open space.

To date over £100m has been invested at Chatham Waters with around 750 full time jobs created, contributing £19m to the local economy each year. Work is expected to start on the new affordable homes and Central Park in Spring 2022 with an estimated two-year period for completion.

James Whittaker, Peel L&P’s Executive Director of Development said: “This is such an exciting development.  Delivering affordable homes at Chatham Waters is key to Peel L&P’s vision to provide a range of mixed-tenure homes and jobs as part of the regeneration of the wider area.  The new Central Park, will be a key feature in the local community for residents and non-residents to enjoy.

Ben Denton, L&G Affordable Homes’ Chief Executive said: “Legal & General Affordable Homes is committed to helping tackle the UK’s urgent housing crisis. We are well-placed to invest institutional capital at scale to provide safe, secure, affordable housing where it’s needed most, whilst delivering a first-class experience for our customers. Chatham Waters is a fantastic example of our vision in action, and we are pleased to partner with Peel L&P and Medway Council to take the next step in providing local families and residents with high quality, affordable housing options.”

Future Developments 

Last month, Peel L&P and Montpelier Estates submitted a planning application for a high-quality care home as part of the Chatham Waters development.  A decision is anticipated by Spring 2022.

The application is for a 74 bedroom care home with communal facilities and staff accommodation set over four floors. Residents will also be able to enjoy a large roof terrace, garden and a variety of other spaces that provide opportunities for relaxation, socialising and activities. The care home will be at the heart of the growing Chatham Waters community and will include a range of facilities, such as a bistro, hairdressers and meeting rooms, which will also be available for use by the wider community. 

The high quality care home planning application with Montpelier further complements Peel L&P’s wider vision for Chatham Waters to deliver a mixed-tenure residential, employment and educational waterfront regeneration.

Peel L&P’s passion is to regenerate and transform waterfront sites by blending history and innovation by creating unique sustainable destinations where people can live, work, socialise, develop a sense of wellbeing and fitness and enjoy life ensuring a prosperous future for the whole area.