Rochester Riverside, Medway Council’s largest regeneration site, will deliver 1,400 new homes within a mixed-use community featuring a new school, nursery, doctor’s surgery, hotel, cafés, and shops. HTA’s masterplan includes a robust public realm strategy that links the historic town to the River Medway. Streets and public spaces are designed to focus on river views and distinctive creek inlets. New mixed-use areas cluster around the station square, with gateway spaces welcoming visitors through four key entrances to the site.
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Rochester Riverside
Residential-led and mixed-use masterplan, on the River Medway, that includes community-based amenities centred around the new station square and Cory’s Creek.
One Place, Many Stories
Architecture
How does the scheme incorporate and reflect the architectural character of Rochester's local area?
The scheme draws inspiration from Rochester’s rich palette of materials, focusing on its colourful brickwork and design features like bay windows and dormers. Various elevation treatments have been developed through an analysis of Rochester’s vernacular, creating an approach that directly responds to the local context. The diversity of roof types reflects Rochester’s High Street, while recessed brick details and projecting bays emphasise living rooms. These features create three-dimensional elements that add interest and variety to the streetscape.
Masterplanning & Urban Design
How does HTA's masterplan create a balanced integration of residential, commercial, and public spaces?
HTA’s masterplan delivers a comprehensive development on Medway Council’s largest regeneration site. Covering 30 hectares, the scheme includes 1,400 homes, with 50% family-sized and 25% affordable, ensuring a diverse residential community. The plan extends the town centre, contributing to broader regeneration efforts in Rochester and the Medway towns. New neighbourhoods feature mixed-use spaces around existing landscapes and the riverfront, fostering a vibrant environment that enhances the area’s natural and historical context.
Key routes create people-friendly spaces that seamlessly connect the new development with the historic town centre and Rochester High Street, ensuring connectivity and accessibility. The masterplan balances residential, commercial, and public spaces, including over 108,000 sq ft of commercial floorspace, such as a primary school, nursery, hotels, bars and restaurants, a gym, healthcare facilities, office space, and retail units. Over 10 acres of public open space, including a 2.5 km riverside walkway, parks, and play areas, extends the natural river landscape with distinctive planting and wildlife encouragement. These amenities are strategically located to serve both new and existing communities, enhancing the area’s liveability and accessibility.
How did HTA successfully navigate the planning process for the Rochester masterplan?
The planning process for the Rochester masterplan began with HTA’s successful bid to redevelop the brownfield site in collaboration with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), Medway Borough Council, and Countryside Properties. The masterplanning team developed a hybrid planning application while the HCA decontaminated and elevated the 24.5-hectare site above flood levels. Regular meetings with the Medway planning team and the HCA allowed HTA to adapt proposals to evolving site conditions.
Challenges included coordinating with Network Rail for enabling works and integrating existing restoration projects on the river wall and a new river walk. HTA adopted a phased approach to housing, providing flexibility to meet local needs and market conditions. Continuous dialogue with Medway and the HCA facilitated the evolution of the scheme into four phases, with the first phase submitted as a detailed element of the hybrid application. Engagement with local ward councillors and stakeholders ensured the masterplan respected the historic city’s fabric while delivering modern housing. A successful pre-application process and ongoing engagement with the HCA and planning authority secured committee approval, enabling the site to be transferred to the developer, ready for construction.