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Revised plans for 22 flats in Rochester High Street on site of former Life of Connection Centre church

More than 20 apartments could be squeezed onto the site of a former church after revised plans were submitted.

An application has been put forward by Golzari NG Architects, on behalf of Harnam Developers, to build 22 flats across two blocks in Rochester High Street.

The application has been put forward by Golzari NG Architects, on behalf of Harnam Developers. Picture: Golzari NG Architects/Medway Council
The application has been put forward by Golzari NG Architects, on behalf of Harnam Developers. Picture: Golzari NG Architects/Medway Council

They would be comprised of 10 one-bedroom and nine two-bedroom flats, with the remaining homes being three bedrooms in size.

If approved, 13 of the dwellings would be in Block 1, composed of four storeys, and nine would be in Block 2 comprising three storeys.

The apartments would replace the former Life of Connection Centre church – which was demolished shortly after the pandemic to make way for the proposed 1,195 sq m development.

The application is the fourth to be submitted to Medway Council following previous ones in 2016, 2018 and 2022.

All three were given the green light by planning officers, however each application either submitted a different number of apartments or a varying number of bedrooms in some flats.

Life Connection Centre in Rochester High Street was demolished. Picture: Google
Life Connection Centre in Rochester High Street was demolished. Picture: Google

The last proposal for the development was approved in July 2022 for eight, two-bedroom and 14, one-bedroom flats.

However following construction at the site in January this year, workers discovered greater room was available to build homes with more bedrooms.

This led to new designs being carried out and the current application has been amended.

The proposal now sets out plans to have an additional bedroom in seven of the 22 flats.

Information released on the application's planning statement says: "The site itself was slightly bigger than the survey and planning drawings, and hence there was a little bit of space available internally.

The development would take place in Rochester High Street. Picture: Google
The development would take place in Rochester High Street. Picture: Google

"Advice was sought on increasing the number of bedrooms within five flats of Block B whilst retaining the approved building footprint and total number of units.

“During a site meeting, the consensus was that only one out of those five flats was not suitable for having an extra bedroom.

“The contractor was able to demonstrate an upper floor flat within this block could also have another bedroom, which wasn't originally shown on the pre-application plans.

"The planning officer was also consulted about increasing the area of the Block A two-bedroom ground floor flat to convert it into a three-bedroom flat.

"During the construction of Block A it also became evident Flat 20 was sufficiently large [enough] to accommodate an additional single bedroom - this change is now part of the current proposals.

An image of the proposed development from Rochester High Street. Picture: Golzari NG Architects/Medway Council
An image of the proposed development from Rochester High Street. Picture: Golzari NG Architects/Medway Council

"Therefore, having an additional bedroom in seven out of 22 flats was achievable.

"The revised unit mix provides a better offer of unit sizes, which will attract more diverse groups of families and individuals and improve the sense of community.

"We believe the revised layout, circulation and quality of space is more efficient than the previously granted scheme."

Plans also include 10 car parking spaces and 22 cycle spaces.

You can view updates on the application by clicking here and searching for reference MC/23/2514.

A decision is expected by February 9, 2024.

The proposal comes just days after a different application was resubmitted to transform a former nightclub into 61 apartments.

Provectus Developments wants to build the flats in New Road, Chatham at the site of the former Krystals Nightclub.

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