Affordable housing has been dropped from plans for a town centre site in Chatham.

Medway Council has given the go-ahead for 42 new flats on a disused site in Clover Street, just behind Chatham High Street, today (15 December).

The development would consist of two blocks with a maximum height of five storeys, both featuring one and two-bedroom flats.

But none of the 42 flats will be offered as affordable housing after a financial assessment deemed the scheme “unviable”.

The developer, Windmill Construction, argued rising costs had created additional difficulties.

The report also says that even a scheme for full market sale and without any developer contributions, known as Section 106, will leave the developer at a loss of £398,400.

Medway Council accepted the report’s findings and said the “development to provide additional housing is welcomed, providing economic, social and environmental benefits.”

As part of the plans, a communal garden will also be created and each flat above ground floor will have a private balcony.

Only six car parking spaces have been proposed, falling short of the required 53 spaces plus 10 visitor spaces for a development of this size.

Council planners raised no objection after concluding the town centre site is nearby to essential services, public transport links and several car parks.

Previously, the same site was earmarked for a medical centre but in April 2024 the NHS sold it for £600,000, after confirming a new facility in the Pentagon Centre instead.

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