Medway Renaissance This year will see the multi-billion pound regeneration of Medway enter the Ôdelivery phaseÕ. For the first time, people will see major physical change as the vision Ð the creation of a new worldclass city Ð starts to become a tangible reality. The Leader of Medway Council Cllr Rodney Chambers believes it will also be a year of psychological breakthrough: the year the sceptics see that MedwayÕs ambitions can, and will be, realised. Developers will be appointed to create phase-one of Rochester Riverside setting the highest of standards on many levels for what follows: 16,000 new homes, 20,000 new jobs, great transport links, a retail revolution, thriving universities, major new arts venues, massive private sector investment all along seven miles of the River Medway. The 15-year regeneration programme, now valued at £5billion, means Medway has a bright future as well as a rich history. It is firmly on course to become a prosperous and cohesive new city - a city for the 21st century at the heart of the Thames Gateway, EuropeÕs biggest regeneration zone. Rochester Riverside Many images have been used to depict MedwayÕs future, but the most striking came from the four companies competing to develop phase-one of Rochester Riverside: Urban Splash, Crest Nicholson, Bellway Homes and Countryside Properties. Phase-one involves around 550 homes, a park and possibly a boutique hotel on 17 acres at the southern end of the site. ThereÕs also potential for offices, shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs and community facilities. Later development at the northern section of the site will deliver a further 1,500 homes, a primary school, a second park, a hotel with conference facilities, a riverside walk and links to the historic city centre. Chatham Ð the natural city centre Chatham is destined to be the heart of the new City of Medway. Public consultation on development briefs for ChathamÕs three key regeneration sites Ð Chatham Waterfront, Station Gateway and The Brook Ð is now complete. Masterplans were submitted for adoption by the council early in 2008. As the regeneration programme gathers pace, private sector interest in Chatham has never been stronger. Clearest evidence of this was the sale of The Pentagon Shopping Centre for more than £80million. Four years ago it sold for £50million. Its new owners plan a £160million expansion and refurbishment. The councilÕs regeneration unit, Medway Renaissance, is talking to major retailers keen to invest in ChathamÕs future. Ambitions for the key Chatham Waterfront regeneration site, masterplanned by leading architect Dr Ken Yeang, include striking apartments, a hotel and a landmark arts and entertainment venue. Progress on other key sites Major progress is reported on MedwayÕs other waterfront regeneration sites. At Strood, compensation claims arising from compulsory purchase of the site have been agreed. GillinghamÕs blueprint for the future Ð its town centre development framework Ð has been adopted by Medway Council. And on Temple Waterfront significant progress has been made with the tripartite landownersÕ agreement. All three parties are keen to move towards comprehensive redevelopment of the site with a view to submitting a planning application in summer 2008. Checking into MedwayÉ Hotel operators are set to check into Medway with 500 rooms across at least five sites, investing an estimated £50million. The first, a 90-bedroom Ramada Encore at Chatham Maritime, opened November 2007. Welbeck Land have been selected as the preferred developer for a 150-200-bed hotel with conference facilities on Rochester Riverside. ThereÕs planning permission to convert the waterfront ÔBig BlueÕ office complex at Chatham Maritime into a four-star hotel with 180 rooms and an 80 room budget hotel is planned on Corporation Street, Rochester. ThereÕs also potential for a number of luxury boutique hotels in and around buildings of historical interest. Universities at Medway The Universities at Medway, a key source of skills for the future, are enjoying rapid expansion. There are now 9,000 students Ð which puts the development a year ahead of target on projected numbers. Prof Alan Reed, Director of Regional Liaison, said: ÒThere has been a successful launch and first yearÕs operation of the Medway Enterprise Hub, which is working in partnership with SEEDA, Medway Council, the University of Kent, Business Link Kent and the University of Greenwich to support start-up and young businesses, particularly technology and knowledge-based companies.Ó Private sector partnership Medway Council is embarking on a ground-breaking partnership with one of BritainÕs leading property developers thatÕs expected to generate more than £1billion of private sector investment in the regeneration programme. St Modwen Properties PLC has been chosen as the councilÕs preferred investment partner Ð the first partnership of its kind in the Thames Gateway. Leader of Medway Council Cllr Rodney Chambers said: ÒThis is hugely important to MedwayÕs future. More than £120m of public funding has gone into our regeneration programme, with much of it spent on the acquisition and preparation of sites for redevelopment. The project must now be taken forward with private sector money with a programme of investment for the whole community of Medway. We have selected St Modwen because of the companyÕs strong track record in major regeneration projects and its strong belief in MedwayÕs immense potential.Ó Contact: Tel 01634 337154 www.medwayrenaissance.com