Located along the waterfront of the historic Chatham Docks in Kent and adjacent to X1’s first development in the South East featuring 199 luxury apartments, the private rented sector scheme is spread over two interconnected blocks – one six and one seven storey – and also features ground floor retail units on the waterfront boulevard.

The development reached its peak height in a socially distanced ceremony held by Peel L&P and private equity firm Long Harbour with a total of five people in attendance in line with Government guidelines. Medway Council’s Head of Planning, Dave Harris was also in attendance.

Designed by Manchester architects AHR, the building features a communal garden atop the single-story retail space, a striking white pre-cast concrete façade with bronze panels and punched balconies overlooking the dockyard beyond.

James Whittaker, Executive Director for Development at Peel L&P said: “We’re thrilled to be moving forwards in the current climate and celebrating yet another key development milestone at Chatham Waters. I would like to thank everyone who joined us to mark the occasion, we look forward to welcoming residents to the scheme in Spring 2021.”

Just 36 minutes from London St Pancras by train, Peel L&P’s Chatham Waters masterplan consists of residential, commercial, retail, leisure and education. The dynamic 26-acre destination is already home to a University Technical College, Marston’s family restaurant, Asda Superstore and extensive public realm.

James Aumonier, Chief Operating Officer Long Harbour said: “This is a fantastic moment in delivery of a significant number of high-quality homes for rent, forming a key part of the regeneration of this historic, waterside development. Achieving this milestone is particularly noteworthy, given today’s difficult circumstances, and stands a great example of how build to rent development can keep Britain building and aid economic recovery.”

With approximately 700 new full-time jobs created at the regeneration scheme to date, Chatham Waters has received over £100 million invested so far. Based on those jobs, the development to date has contributed £19 million of GVA (Gross value added) to the local economy every year.

The commercial space within the Peel L&P and Long Harbour PRS scheme is due to generate another 100 jobs and an additional £3.8 million of GVA for the local economy annually.

Working with Medway Council, Peel L&P have created a masterplan to ensure that the regeneration of the former brownfield site delivers a truly inspirational new destination that not only complements but enhances the surrounding area. The new development will form part of the Natural England’s Coastal Pathways scheme, opening up the waterfront of Chatham Waters for a public walkway and nature trail plus works will soon begin on further public realm.

Councillor Alan Jarrett, Medway Council Leader added: “We’re delighted to see the topping out of the new developments at Chatham Waters and congratulate Peel L&P, Long Harbour and Russell WBHO on bringing through this scheme despite the very challenging background at the moment. It is so important to continue with our important regeneration programme to ensure that we can provide much needed homes for Medway residents and their families in future.”

Andrew Russell, Joint Managing Director at Russell WBHO said: “The completion of the building structure is a milestone to be celebrated on any major scheme, taking a moment to recognize the skill and commitment of the whole project team before we head into the final phase of the build. I’m extremely proud of the way the team has dealt with the challenges over recent months and kept the project on track for a Spring 2021 handover.”

James concludes: “At Peel L&P, we are fully committed to delivering high-quality sustainable developments to transform previously disused or derelict sites and breathe new life where people can live, work and socialise.”