Land deal paves way for job-creating housing scheme

A land deal has been agreed which is set to pave the way for the development of a new job-creating housing scheme in Rainham.Medway Council approved outline plans for the residential development of up to 64 homes on Lower Rainham Road at the end of last year and Bellway has since exchanged contracts to acquire the 8.5-acre site from Gladman Developments.Bellway is also set to make more than £730,000 in financial contributions to the local area as part of the planning agreement for the development, including more than £420,000 towards education, £159,000 towards open space and outdoor sport, £53,000 towards ecological and public access at Berengrave Nature Conservation site, and £39,000 towards Rainham Healthy Living Centre.It is estimated that more than 60 full-time jobs and almost 70 indirect jobs will be created during the construction phase, with 25 per cent of the homes allocated as affordable housing.