London Road, Strood, Kent, UK

London Road, Strood, Kent, UK

Project

Shortlisted

Planning Application Link View map

Number/street name:
3 London Road

Address line 2:
Strood

City:
Kent

Postcode:
ME2 3HX

Architect:
[Y/N] Studio

Architect contact number:
020 8050 3736


Developer:
Park Garage Group.

Planning Authority:
Medway Council

Planning consultant:
JMS Planning and Development Ltd.

Planning Reference:
MC/21/3055

Date of Completion:
10/2024

Schedule of Accommodation:
17 x 1 bed flats; 20 x 2 bed flats; 11 x 3 bed flats

Tenure Mix:
75% private; 8% shared ownership; 17% affordable rented

Total number of homes:


Site size (hectares):
0.60

Net Density (homes per hectare):
80

Size of principal unit (sq m):
70

Smallest Unit (sq m):
52

Largest unit (sq m):
105

No of parking spaces:
19

Scheme PDF Download



Planning History

In December 2019 a masterplan for the town centre of Strood was published by Medway council which identified the site for development. This project aims to embrace and reinterpret Strood's historic role as a productive engine and create an attractive place to live - balancing work and homes. After a series of pre-application meetings with Medway council and a productive session with the design review panel the scheme was awarded planning at committee in July 2022.

The Design Process

The site lies at the end of a well-used High Street, and was earmarked in Strood’s recently adopted masterplan as a key gateway site to be developed as part of Phase 1. The residential lead mixed-use scheme will signify the new regeneration of Strood, which is less than 30 minutes by train from London, and its quality and character will set the tone for future developments.
The masterplan emphasises the importance of ‘embracing Strood’s historic role as a productive engine’, and creating an ‘attractive place to live’. A five sided building introduces pockets of new public space at ground floor, while directing residential views towards the historic buildings, parks and the river nearby. The High Street is extended with new retail and commercial units, drawing people up to its culmination outside seven newly renovated railway arches.
On two of the building’s elevations a dramatic sloping roof minimises the impact on more sensitive streets while referencing traditional Kentish roof forms. The two storey sloping roof is inhabited with recessed terraces, projecting dormers and skylights. The result is a sculptural and iconic building form that reflects both the past and the future of its surroundings.
The tenure-blind residential apartments are arranged around a generous shared courtyard garden, each enjoying double or triple-aspects. Internally many of the homes will benefit from sloped double height spaces. In accordance with Medway’s guidance the scheme will provide a mixture of unit types from 1 bed apartments to 3 bed maisonettes and 25% of the homes will be affordable.
The material approach references that of the Grade II listed pub opposite, using bands of long format red brickwork and roof tile and pigmented concrete to indicate different uses and link the proposal more closely to its context.

Key Features

This proposal represents a number of ideas which currently pre-occupy the studio. Firstly, while comparatively dense, the design both respects and responds to the local context in terms of scale, materiality and fenestration approach. Secondly the building provides a generous public realm which in combination with the revived railway arches and ground floor commercial space will make a destination for the people of Strood. Finally the homes are designed to be generous, the majority of units are dual aspect and naturally ventilated and many have views both into the shared courtyard garden and the town.

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Scheme Information

Type

  • Multi-Aspect Apartments
  • Maisonettes

Size

  • High density

Cost/ownership

  • Affordable
  • Private Ownership
  • Shared Ownership
  • Mixed Tenure
  • Mixed Use

Planning

  • Urban Regeneration

Construction/Design

  • Brickwork
  • Contemporary Design
  • Local Vernacular

Sustainability

  • Conversion / extension / retrofit

Outdoor areas

  • Private Terraces
  • Roof Terrace
  • Biodiversity
  • Garden

Surrounding Area

  • Healthy Streets
  • Landscape
  • Communal Spaces

Specialised

  • Wheelchair

Sustainability

The design responds to Medway’s Council Plan to achieve a clean and green environment in both construction and operational use of the building. Energy and carbon reduction methods include the use of locally or as close to the site as possible, sourced environmentally friendly building materials that create a highly insulated building fabric and ensure low air permeability. High standards of insulation and air source heat pump driven heating/hot water systems will achieve an overall improvement in regulated emissions to meet the highest of sustainable construction standards based on the principles at the time of submission. To encourage the development on land that has a limited value to wildlife a Biodiversity Net Gain strategy has been adopted. The scheme incorporates soft and hard landscaping to a site that is currently covered in hardstanding. The periphery of the proposed building and a central courtyard are to be planted with low-level planting and native tree species. This offers opportunity for ecological enhancements such as bird boxes and bug hotels. The consumption of water is to be reduced with appropriate fittings and appliances. A rainwater harvesting butt system will stimulate biodiversity and amenity value and opportunity for maintaining communal areas and green roofs. Further, the provision of green roofs and the use of permeable pavement on all the proposed hard surfacing introduce water recycling. The proposed roof will add mass and insulation to the building and reduce heating as well as reduce rainwater run-off and create wildlife habitats. As part of the New Occupier Information pack, residents will be encouraged to walk for short trips, partake in carsharing and take advantage of the public transport. This is further achieved by only providing 0.5 of car parking space per unit, of which all have EV charging capacity.
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