Green light nears for revised Rochester plans

Revised plans for a student accommodation scheme lined up for a site on Rochester High Street look set to secure approval.Rochester Independent College is behind the application, which seeks demolition of part of the rear of the A.F Smith building and car workshop.In its place would be a four-storey development comprising 85 bedrooms alongside parking, amenity space and associated infrastructure.The ground floor would comprise a common room, café, laundry, medical rooms, offices, plant rooms, a staff area and offices.The application was previously reported to Medway Council’s planning committee on 8 December 2021, with an agreement struck to approve the development subject to the completion of S106.However, the applicant reviewed the scheme and found it “no longer viable” and therefore made amendments, including reducing the number of rooms from 103. The ground floor cinema and gym were also taken out.The application will go back before Medway Council’s planning committee later today (9 March) with a recommendation for approval, subject to a S106 being agreed.