Developers vie for riverside site

The last of three gas holders on the site was bulldozed last year

Four schemes for the development of what was a derelict riverside site in Rochester have been put on show.

Developers are competing for phase one of the project to create 550 homes, a park and possibly a hotel on the 17-acre southern site.

A three-day exhibition is being held at the Corn Exchange in the High Street.

The last of three gas holders that dominated the site for decades was bulldozed last year. Clearing up the derelict site began in 2005.

Later phases of the project will see 1,500 homes, a primary school, another park, a hotel with conference facilities, cafes, bars, restaurants, a riverside walk, and links to the historic city centre being built on the northern part of the site.

Council leader Rodney Chambers said the project would "lead the way" in the regeneration of Medway.

He said: "We must ensure that it sets the highest possible standards in architecture, design and the creation of quality open space."