Cross Street, Cavalier Place and Eldon Street; three roads in Chatham which have been transformed into one community, providing modern, energy efficient homes for rent and shared ownership.
The site, close to The Brook theatre, was previously occupied by derelict garages, poorly insulated, prefabricated homes and outdated and unpopular bedsit flats.
Since 2014, we’ve invested almost £12 million transforming the area by redeveloping the three sites.
The development was shortlisted last year for an Inside Housing Award as Best Regeneration Project outside London.
Cross Street, the final phase of this three-part development
"Our work at The Brook in Chatham is an outstanding example of urban regeneration combining three sites to form one community.
Our ultimate ambition is to help end the housing crisis in north Kent. By 2021 we’ll build at least 600 new homes, of which at least 85% will be affordable."
Stephanie Goad, Operations Director at mhs homes
Seventy-seven homes are provided in total across the three sites, 66 of which are affordable; 44 for affordable rent and 22 for shared ownership. The other 11 are market rent homes.
Cross Street is the final phase of this three-part development, which was completed in May. It offers 50 homes; 20 affordable and social rent, 11 private market rent and 19 shared ownership homes.
We organised a guided tour on Wednesday 25 April 2018, alongside our builders behind the project, Chartway Group. We presented the development to local councillors, stakeholders and residents, to celebrate the transformation.
Cutting the ribbon: Councillor Howard Doe and Operations Director Stephanie Goad
"The completion of this scheme is a real success story for all those involved. It’s been a pleasure to deliver these energy efficient modern homes in a key location and we’re proud to say we built them."
Tim McLoughlin, Projects Director for Chartway Group
The development is part of a larger project to help regenerate Medway’s city centre.
Image taken in August 2017 by Chartway Group
"There are a lot of ambitious plans for Chatham and we’re already starting to fulfil them. This development compliments the council’s regeneration programme which will provide further growth and housing opportunities in Chatham town centre and across Medway. mhs homes has transformed the area and future residents will be proud to live in their new homes."
Councillor Howard Doe, Deputy Leader of Medway Council and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services
Eldon Street, designed by architects bptw partnership
Our subsidiary, Heart of Medway, has received over £1m in grant funding from Homes England, formerly The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). This is split between the affordable rent and shared ownership homes across the three sites.
"We’re pleased to have provided funding to enable mhs to provide these homes for both shared ownership and affordable rent, which are an excellent example of Homes England’s commitment to increase the supply of affordable homes."
Carol Cairns, Head of Home Ownership and Supply for the South East for Homes England
Cross Street, designed by architects bptw partnership
Steven Harper, aged 54, moved into his affordable rent home in Constance House, Cross Street last month.
He used to live at Bligh Way in Strood but was relocated through an innovative new scheme.
For the first time ever, a unique agreement with Medway Council allowed us to hold 25% of the new homes at Cross Street to offer to our existing tenants.
"It's a very nice, clean building. It's right on top of the high street, thumbs up to whoever thought about building these homes here, it's really helped to change the area around. If people want decent housing this is the way forward – building this kind of property."
Steven Harper, resident
Cavalier Place, designed by architects bptw partnership