Hundreds of new homes approved in Medway

Hundreds of new homes were approved at Acorn Wharf in Rochester

Hundreds of new homes will be built on a vacant shipyard and open grassland in Kent despite concerns over traffic.

Separate bids for 132 flats at Acorn Wharf on the bank of the River Medway in Rochester, and 33 houses off Berengrave Lane, Rainham, were both backed by councillors at a planning meeting on Wednesday.

The Rochester application proposed three blocks of flats on a section of land north of the on-going Rochester Riverside development.

The plans for the site in Gas House Road include a cafe and yacht moorings alongside 62 one-bed and 66 two-bed flats.

Concerns were raised by councillors over access to the site and the possible increased traffic it would create.

There were also split opinions over its design, with one calling it "one of the ugliest things I've ever seen", but another saying they liked the art deco style.

The application was approved by 13 councillors with only one voting against.

Another application for 33 houses on land off Berengrave Lane in Rainham was approved unanimously, according to Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The plans will see 12 properties with three bedrooms and nine with four bedrooms. with a further six two-bedroom and one three-bedroom homes to be let as social rent properties, and five two-bedroom homes to be sold as affordable housing.