Work to build a new public park near the River Medway is underway.

Developer Peel Waters has started the creation of a public park at its Chatham Waters development, off Pier Road.

The park will run through the middle of the 26-acre site, featuring natural play areas and landscaped lawns with benches and picnic spots.

A community garden will also be created, providing a fruit orchard and raised planters for residents to grow herbs and vegetables in.

More than 80 trees and up to 1,000 sqm of various shrubs will be planted in the park.

A groundbreaking ceremony attended by Peel Waters and local contractor O’Halloran & O’Brien Group, who will be completing the park, recently took place.

Work on the new park is expected to be completed by January 2025.

James Whittaker, managing director at Peel Waters, said: “Creating high-quality public realm, parks and outdoor space for our community to enjoy is so important to our vision for Chatham Waters.

“Chatham Waters is a neighbourhood which is growing at pace and for us it’s not just about delivering fantastic buildings, we want to build a community.

“The park will be a fantastic addition to the existing green spaces, dock gardens and the waterfront promenade we have delivered so far.”

Peel Waters has invested more than £125 million into Chatham Waters to date, creating 600 homes, an Asda superstore, Waterfront University Technical College (UTC) and a Marston’s family pub and restaurant.

This includes the recent completion of 237 affordable homes in partnership with Legal & General Affordable Homes.

Once fully delivered the masterplan will provide a further 322 homes, as well as additional commercial floorspace and new public realm.