This comprehensive redevelopment of a 150-acre derelict island that was formerly part of HMS Pembroke, the 420- acre Royal Naval Dockyard at Chatham Kent has created a residential community of 1,700 homes, in the process meeting the Government’s 60% target for new housing on brownfield land. The initial phase of low density detached housing only achieved 12 dwellings per acre, but more recent use of three-storey houses and four-storey apartment blocks have raised the density to 16 dwellings per acre without any deterioration in the quality of the environment. Fishing Village, Ventura, Northshore and Victory Mews are linked to the neighbourhood centre via walkways and cycleways. Sustainability is a key feature of the development with the emphasis on energy efficiency and water conservation. Low- emissivity glass is used in the double –glazing to minimise heat loss. Photovoltaic cells are used for water heating. Dual flush cisterns are installed and insulation ensures that these new homes achieve Ecohome ratings of Good or Very Good. It was awarded Best Brownfield Development in the 2005 National Homebuilder Design Awards and achieved CABE’s Building for Life Silver Standard
