The detailed plans for phase one of Peel's £650m Chatham Waters development in Kent have received planning permission from
Medway Council.

Chatham Waters will transform the heavy industrial site into a 1.9m sq ft mixed-use sustainable development incorporating offices, an education facility, conference centre, hotel, apartments and town houses plus a foodstore and a number of landscaped public areas. It is estimated the plans could create 3,500 jobs. Phase one of the scheme relates to the southern part of the site close to Pier Road.

James Whittaker, Development Director at Peel, said, "We're delighted Medway Council has approved our detailed plans for the first phase of Chatham Waters and are excited about being able to start work on the development in the coming months. The Chatham Waters scheme will regenerate and breathe new life into a significant area of the dockland in Kent and give the region a real economic boost.

"This will be a wholly privately funded development that includes major environmental, infrastructure - including highways - and social improvements. This approval paves the way for the remainder of the Outline Scheme to be brought forward."

Phase one includes an ADSA food retail superstore and petrol filling station, employing 400 people, and major improvements to the roads and infrastructure in this area of the site as well as landscaping.