The Rochester Riverside site, located along the River Medway in Rochester, Kent, has a long and varied industrial history dating back to the 18th century.[2]
Ross Shipyard (1795–1814)
Contemporary records confirm that shipbuilder Charles Ross operated a Royal Navy shipyard at Acorn Wharf (near Rochester Bridge) from 1795 until his death in 1808. The yard constructed at least ten warships for the Royal Navy, including vessels ranging from 12 to 74 guns.[3] In 1806, Ross signed a contract to build the 74-gun HMS Vigo, with the keel laid in 1807. After Charles Ross died, his widow Mary Ross took over the business and successfully petitioned the Navy Board to continue operations. She managed the yard until at least 1814, corresponding with the Admiralty during that time.[4]
Transfer to John Foord & Sons
Following the end of naval shipbuilding at the site, the yard passed to John Foord & Sons, general contractors and builders. While earlier summaries claimed Mary Ross died in 1814, further research clarifies she lived until 1847.[4] By the 1820s, however, her daughter Rebecca and son-in-law John Foord had assumed control of the premises. Under the Foord family, Acorn Wharf continued to be used for timber, engineering, and general construction work.[3]
19th Century – Steam Packet Services
In the mid-to-late 1800s, the site's industrial role evolved to support local steam navigation. Gas House Road Wharf became the main base for the New Medway Steam Packet Company, which operated paddle steamers on routes between Rochester, Sheerness, and Southend. The company maintained and refueled its vessels at the wharf, reflecting the area’s continuing maritime role in the Victorian era.[3]
Barge and Boatbuilding Industry
Although large-scale warship production had ceased, local heritage sources suggest that barge builders continued to use the site throughout the 19th century. The construction and repair of lighters and barges likely took place at the wharf and associated slipways, which remained visible on Ordnance Survey maps well into the 20th century.[3]
20th Century – "Acorn Wharf" / "Delce Wharf"
By the early 20th century, the site was known interchangeably as Acorn Wharf[5] and Delce Wharf.[6] The land remained in industrial use throughout the century, hosting a variety of businesses. During the 1953 North Sea flood, reports noted that the Style and Winch mineral water factory at Acorn Wharf was inundated.[7] Historical maps and planning records continue to reference the location as a working industrial wharf into the 1980s and 1990s.[3]
Acorn Shipyard, pictured 11 November 2008.
Acorn Shipyard (2000s–2016)
In the early 2000s, the site was occupied by Acorn Shipyard, which continued ship repair and light industrial work. However, the business entered administration in 2016 and operations ceased.[8] In the months that followed, the derelict yard experienced a series of arson-related incidents. On 4 September 2016, a major fire and explosion shook the area.[9] Additional fires occurred on 26 October and 13 November 2016, with a 40-foot barge gutted in the latter.[10] In May 2017, a string of overnight fires further damaged the site.[10] Police and fire investigations led to an arson arrest, and in 2018, a suspect received an indefinite hospital order.[11]
Clearance and Redevelopment
Following the fires, the site was cleared of all remaining structures. By 2018, photographic records showed an empty fenced lot.[12] As of 2024, the site remains vacant but is part of the Rochester Riverside regeneration project, led by Countryside and Hyde Housing. The scheme proposes up to 1,400 homes, along with commercial units, educational spaces, and riverside public realm improvements.[13]
Development timeline
2004: Medway Council adopted the development brief for Rochester Riverside, setting out a vision for the area's transformation.[14][4][15]
2016: Proposals for phases 1 to 3 were submitted by Countryside Properties and Hyde Housing, focusing on the development of residential, educational, and community facilities. The proposed development included 502 new homes, a primary school, a hotel, and approximately 885 square meters of commercial space, which included retail outlets like a Co-op supermarket and a Costa Coffee café.[16][4]
2017: Construction work began, with the first phase of the development set to deliver 1,400 new homes alongside necessary infrastructure and amenities. By early 2024, 502 homes were completed, with the 500th home handed over to residents in February 2024. Construction for Phase 7, which includes 154 homes, is slated to begin in 2025.[16]
2019: The first residents moved into newly constructed homes at Rochester Riverside in June 2019. This milestone marked the completion of the initial residential areas, which included 489 homes, a hotel, and several commercial spaces.[3]
2021: The construction of the Rochester Riverside Church of England Primary School was completed. Although delayed due to financial issues with the contractor, the school eventually opened in September 2023. The school's official opening ceremony took place in March 2024, attended by local dignitaries.[3]
2023: Construction began on the seventh phase of development, including additional housing and public spaces, as the project continued to expand.[3][17]
Ongoing development
As of 2025, the Rochester Riverside development continues to progress, with new housing phases being completed and public amenities expanded. The development aims to create a balanced community that integrates residential areas with spaces for work, leisure, and education.
Limehouse Landing
Limehouse Landing at Rochester Riverside
Limehouse Landing is a floating boarding platform installed at Limehouse Wharf, part of the Rochester Riverside development on the River Medway in Kent, England. The structure was developed by Medway Council and partners following the partial collapse of the original Rochester Pier in May 2022,[18] which had previously served passenger vessels. The new platform facilitates the temporary reinstatement of river services to Rochester.[19]
Planning permission for a temporary dock—proposed to last two to three years—was submitted by Medway Council in June 2024[18] and approved later that year.[19] The platform was installed in early 2025[20] and commenced public operations during the Rochester Sweeps Festival in May 2025.[21]
It is used as a departure point for river tours, including those operated by Jetstream Tours[19] and for occasional visits by historic vessels, such as the paddle steamer Waverley.[19]
Funding and planning
The project was led and funded by Medway Council, with financial support from the Local Transport Plan (LTP), a central government grant scheme for transport infrastructure.[22] Medway’s performance reports note that "Local Transport Plan funding has been secured to construct a boarding platform at Limehouse Wharf, Rochester Riverside" and that the planning application drew three letters of support with no objections.[22] News reports noted the platform would lie within a "pocket park" of the Rochester Riverside development.[19] Local heritage and boating groups—including the City of Rochester Society and the Medway & Swale Boating Association—publicly supported the proposal, and a residents’ association survey found roughly 70% in favour.[23]
Construction and features
Construction began shortly after planning permission was granted in October 2024, with council documents indicating building work to commence in November 2024.[22] The platform is a modular, buoyant pontoon with an access ramp and gangways, designed for passenger boarding. It was fabricated offsite and installed in spring 2025.[20] The structure is intended as a temporary measure while options for a permanent river access point are explored.[19] Its placement at Limehouse Wharf was chosen due to the site’s historic use for docking larger vessels and its suitability compared to the now‑damaged Rochester Pier.[18] Design documentation for Rochester Riverside notes that a temporary dock at Limehouse Wharf was proposed to enable river boat access, including the Waverley paddle steamer.[24]
Public launch and operations
The platform's inaugural operations coincided with the Rochester Sweeps Festival from 3–5 May 2025.[25] Medway Council announced the "exciting launch of a new boat drop-off platform – Rochester Riverside Boathouse Landing", offering one‑hour return trips to Upnor during the festival.[21] Multiple sailings ran daily, with tickets booked in advance via Jetstream Tours. Following the festival, Jetstream Tours commenced seasonal routes, operating weekly Sunday sailings from April to September between Southend (via Queenborough) and Limehouse Landing.[19] The platform also accommodates heritage cruises; the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society confirmed that the Waverley would call at Rochester annually from 2024/25.[19]
Boarding and access
Boarding for all sailings is coordinated through a waiting area near Cory’s Road. Signage directs passengers from Rochester railway station—approximately a 10‑minute walk—to the embarkation point.[26]
Stakeholders
Medway Council: project sponsor, planning applicant and principal funder via LTP.[22]
Homes England: central government partner; Riverside is managed by Medway Council and Homes England.[27]
Countryside Partnerships (Vistry Group): lead developer; platform integrated into public realm.[27]
Hyde Housing: joint‑venture partner in Riverside development.[27]
BPTW Partnership: detailed architectural design for Phases 4–5; documentation references the temporary dock.[24]
Jetstream Tours: commercial operator; runs regular services from Limehouse Landing.[19]
Paddle Steamer Preservation Society: operates the Waverley; uses the platform annually.[19]
City of Rochester Society and Medway & Swale Boating Association: public supporters.[23]
Policy T20 ("Riverside Infrastructure"): guiding riverside transport infrastructure, including temporary docks.[28]
Travelodge
Aerial view of the Travelodge at Rochester Riverside
Travelodge Rochester Riverside is an 81-bedroom[29] (C1 use class) hotel situated at the entrance to Station Square within the Rochester Riverside development. The hotel was designed by BPTW Architects[30] and features a contemporary dark-brick façade with floor-to-ceiling windows. The building has a gross internal area of approximately 2,951 m² and officially opened around 2020.
The development was delivered by Countryside and Hyde, and the hotel is operated by Travelodge UK. It formed part of the outline planning permission for Rochester Riverside. Station Square, which was part of Phase 1B, was envisioned as a public plaza framed by the hotel, Rochester railway station, and surrounding apartment blocks.[31]
The hotel’s ground floor includes a reception and guest seating area, while the first floor contains office space, providing potential for future adaptation to alternative uses.
Rochester Riverside C of E Primary School
Rochester Riverside Church of England Primary School is a two-storey free school for pupils aged 3 to 11,[32] located within the Rochester Riverside development. The school was approved under Medway Council planning application MC/19/0493 in April 2020.[33] Designed by Bond Bryan Partnership,[34] the building features durable brick façades with yellow fibre-cement panel accents and includes an undercroft play area to maximise space. The site also contains a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and a dedicated nursery provision.
The school was constructed by Balfour Beatty as principal contractor, with contributions from Fira Landscape Architecture, Buro Happold, Max Fordham, AECOM, and other consultants.[34] Built as a one-form-entry school with two-form-entry core infrastructure, it has a total capacity of 446 pupils. The school officially opened in September 2023, with construction completing in January 2024. It is operated by the Pilgrim Multi-Academy Trust, reflecting a Church of England ethos.[35]
Rochester Riverside Multi-Storey Car Park
Aerial view of the Rochester Riverside Multi-Storey Car Park
A public multi-storey car park, formerly known as Rochester Station Car Park, was constructed in 2015,[36] adjacent to the rebuilt Rochester railway station. It officially opened on Friday, April 29, 2016.[37] The facility was delivered under a design-and-build contract awarded to the Spencer Group in June 2015.[38] The structure is a three-level steel-framed building measuring approximately 90 m by 30 m and reaching a height of up to 10 m. It provides 327 parking spaces and includes two lifts to ensure step-free access. It is operated by Medway Council and has used automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) for ticketless payment[39] since 2018. Season permits are also available.
Castle View Business Centre
Castle View Business Park (on Gas House Road,[40] north of the site[41]) is a pre-existing complex of small office/industrial units. It dates from around the 1990s and houses dozens of local businesses (e.g. a nursery, trades, small manufacturers). Medway’s 2014 development brief noted it as "active" and expected to continue in use. There are no current redevelopment plans for Castle View; it is currently managed privately. Tenants (as of 2024) include childcare providers, retail showrooms and service firms.
Eventide Park & Furrell's Park
Furrell’s Park, completed in March 2023,[42] was designed by LUC (Land Use Consultants) with input from local schools. It features grassy mounds, coastal planting, play equipment, and timber sculptures, intended to reflect the nearby river and encourage active outdoor play.
Eventide Park, opened in September 2023, serves as a landscaped entrance near the northern end of the site. Also designed by LUC and built by Watts Construction, it includes meadow-style planting, lawns, and a corten steel entrance wall with illuminated lettering spelling "EVENTIDE." The design references local infrastructure and provides a visual marker for the area.[43]
Blue Boar Crane
One notable landmark is the "Blue Boar" dockside crane. This vintage 1957 crane was rescued from the old Cory’s Wharf and re-erected near Blue Boar Wharf residences as a public art feature[44] (its name derives from the adjacent Blue Boar Lane). Painted pale blue and preserved, the 170 ft crane[45] is now a visually arresting nightly feature: in mid-2022 It Does Lighting installed a blue-LED illumination[46] scheme. Eleven fixtures and Pharos controls were fine-tuned (respecting heritage constraints) to create a soft blue wash that highlights the crane’s lattice form. The lighting design minimizes spill and dimly lights the arms so only the crane’s silhouette is seen (giving the upper cage a "floating" effect).[47]
Bath Hard Lane
Bath Hard Lane is a public footway on the river’s edge at the southeast corner of the site, used as riverside access[48] and parking. In the masterplan it is retained as part of the public realm. No new building has been erected there – instead, the area has been repurposed (lighting)[49] and integrated into the extended Riverside Walk. The name survives on wayfinding and contributes to the character of the waterfront route.[50][51]
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