Celebration event marks completion of major homes development on St Mary’s Island
A celebration event has been held to mark the completion of a major housing project that has rejuvenated part of Chatham’s former Royal Dockyard.
Almost 30 years in the making, the St Mary’s Island development has transformed the 150-acre peninsula in the River Medway into a thriving neighbourhood of 1,700 homes with a school, parks and community centre.
Work on the project, a joint venture between Countryside Homes – which is now part of the Vistry Group - and Homes England, began in 1998 and finished in March this year. The final homes to be completed were handed over to their new owners in June.
The celebration event was held at Copper Rivet Distillery on the nearby Chatham Maritime Marina on Thursday 8 August, and was attended by key people who have been involved in bringing the development to fruition over the past 26 years.
This included representatives from Homes England and Medway Council, chief operating officer of Vistry Group Earl Sibley, chief executive of Countryside Partnerships Stephen Teagle and Vistry Group regional directors, as well as former members of staff from Countryside Homes and Vistry Group who have been involved in the project.
Stephen Teagle, CEO, partnerships and regeneration for Vistry, said: “Our celebration event was a wonderful way to mark the end of this hugely significant regeneration project.
“Creating a new community on this scale is an immense task and it was a privilege to come together with organisations and individuals who have been involved with the A project over those years and reflect on what we have achieved here.
“The scheme has delivered quality homes for thousands of local people over the years and with more than 250 of the properties being provided as affordable housing it has made a real difference to the lives of those unable to get onto the property ladder.
“We would like to thank everyone who was involved in every stage of bringing this community to life. A strong and thriving neighbourhood has formed here over the last 26 years and I am sure that it will continue to flourish in the future.”
The St Mary’s Island development was built by Countryside Homes, which is now part of the Vistry Group. The scheme was delivered in partnership with Government housing and regeneration agency Homes England and its predecessors the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and English Partnerships.
Outline planning permission was granted in July 1996 for 1,700 homes and community infrastructure, including three parks and a school and nursery - St Mary’s Island C of E Primary School.
A management company known as the Chatham Maritime Trust, a non-profit organisation, has been formed to act as the long-term caretaker of the island.
Alison Crofton, Chief Property Officer at Homes England, said: “The completion of the St Mary’s project signals the culmination of a 30-year project to completely transform Chatham Maritime, from disused, contaminated land to a thriving new neighbourhood.
“Since 1998, we have worked in close partnership with Medway Council to prepare the land, deliver vital infrastructure and select developers to build the new high-quality homes that now make this peninsula a vibrant community.
“The St Mary’s Island development from Vistry adds the finishing touches to this long-term project and ensures even more people can call St Mary’s Island their home.”
Councillor Simon Curry, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder covering regeneration, said: “It has been great seeing the development at St Mary’s Island progress over the years, and I am delighted for all those involved in its successful completion.
“It's a remarkable transformation of a historically significant area, which has come during the fortieth anniversary of the closure of Chatham Dockyard.
“St Mary’s Island provides a fantastic community with school, medical centre and play parks for not only Chatham residents to benefit from but wider Medway too. The scenic path around the island is also a favourite of residents and visitors to the area, including our own council-run BumpClub walks.”
Vistry Group also includes Bovis Homes and Linden Homes. For more information, visit vistrygroup.co.uk.
