The second stage of Chatham Waters, a £650million regeneration project on former dockyard land, has got off the ground.

Work on the £33.5m apartment scheme started in July and is set to be complete by spring 2021.

It comprises of 193 one, two and three-bedroom flats over two blocks linked by ground floor shops looking onto a waterfront boulevard.

The 26-acre site, owned by Peel Land and Property, is already home to Waterfront University Technical College, an Asda superstore and the Mast and Rigging pub.

Peel’s masterplan will bring 950 homes and 430,000 sq ft of commercial office space as well as investment in surrounding infrastructure.

Most of the development is being carried out by Manchester-based Russells Construction, which has committed to using local labour and skills.

Construction students from the University Technical College will be offered work experience and site visits.

Neil Baumber, Peel’s residential development director, said: “We’re pleased to see this exciting residential development at Chatham Waters get under way with Russells Construction.

"We’ve worked with the team on developments in both Manchester and Kent and we are confident the project can be delivered.”

Andrew Russell, director at Russells Construction, said: “We’re pleased to be working with Peel L&P once again.

“They are a demanding client but one that appreciates the hard work and planning which goes into designing and ensuring the feasibility of a £33.5m project.

“The collaborative approach we have developed with Peel L&P will provide an interesting learning experience for the construction students, helping them to understand how utilising the skills of an experienced contractor like Russells can substantially benefit the project in terms of design, budget and timescale.

"There are challenges to this scheme, primarily with its proximity to the water, which will make it an interesting project for the students to study.”

Chatham Waters is part of a number of regeneration projects Peel is carrying out on brownfield land at docklands, canals and river banks across the country, backed by private investment.

Its Asda store was built after Peel persuaded financial services company Legal and General to stump up £39.6 million.

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