There was exciting news for Rochester’s continued redevelopment again last week, when it was announced that the site that previously housed St Bartholomew’s Hospital on New Road, Rochester, has been put up for sale. After months of furtive talks and discussions between the NHS and Medway Council, the site has finally been put on the market with bids being welcomed by Savills.

The hospital closed in September of last year after Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said it would be moving services to “better equipped locations”. The historic hospital at it’s site on New Road, served the Medway towns for over 150 years and was locally known as St Barts. It was actually one of the oldest hospitals in Britain, predating its more famous namesake in London by more than fifty years. Originally founded in 1078 by the Bishop of Rochester for the “poor and leperous”, the original site was on what is now known as Rochester High Street. The one on New Road was built in 1861 and included a mortuary and nurses accommodation.

The hospital has been sat empty since Autumn of last year but if the latest reports are to be believed, a pre-planning application has been submitted which indicates as many as 103 homes will be developed on the site. Planning officers and councillors at Medway Council have been overseeing the submission for the 2.5 acre site, outlining plans for 78 flats and 25 houses to be built on the plot. The Grade II listed former Waterworks buildings will be retained and converted, but many other building will be completely demolished and rebuilt.

This is just another example of the redevelopment of the area which is benefiting the Medway towns. This is great as it stops unused spaces from becoming derelict and helps solve the UK housing crisis.

I have managed properties in Medway for many years and am always willing to advise those looking to invest in the area. If there’s anything you want to know or would like some advice on a potential investment opportunity, you can reach me at hasan@home-share.co.uk, connect with me via LinkedIn or join our discussion group over on Facebook.