Home   Medway   News   Article

Ambitious £20m housing plan for Rochester’s University for the Creative Arts campus where Zandra Rhodes, Tracey Emin and Karen Millen studied moves a step closer

Ambitious plans to transform an empty art college look set to be given the go-ahead.

A London-based entrepreneur wants to convert the University College for the Creative Arts on top of Fort Pitt Hill, Rochester, into a luxury housing scheme with rooftop gardens.

The former art college on Fort Pitt Hill Rochester
The former art college on Fort Pitt Hill Rochester

And now council planning officers have recommended the £20million scheme should go ahead.

The project will give the 1970s-built local landmark, which has been targeted by vandals and rough sleepers, a new lease of life.

While the building has fallen into disrepair, in its heyday it was home to some of the most illustrious names in the arts and fashion world.

Dame Zandra Rhodes, Dame Tracey Emin and Karen Millen, all honed their skills at the college, which had a campus in Maidstone and was previously known as Medway College of Design

The number one selling point for would-be residents of the 15 townhouses, 47 one-bedroom and 40 two-bedroom apartments is sure to be the offer of “a room with a view”.

The breath-taking vista takes in the historic castle and cathedral in Rochester reaching over to the Great Lines Heritage Park, the former Chatham Dockyard, all linked by the River Medway.

Terry Pullen, the entrepreneur behind the impressive housing scheme
Terry Pullen, the entrepreneur behind the impressive housing scheme

A café and bakery are planned so visitors can drop by and soak in the sights spanning to the North Downs and beyond.

Terry Pullen is a self-made property expert from south east London who has bought the building.

With more than three decades of experience in the leisure and property sector, he is adopting his ABC Living initiative (affordable, bespoke, community) for the latest £2.8 million acquisition.

Rather than demolishing it to make way for hundreds of properties on the 1.82-acre site, he is repurposing the building, which will keep costs down.

His company specialises in taking on existing under-utilised assets, such as offices and commercial properties, and converting them into modern homes.

Ambitious housing plan earmarked for former art college
Ambitious housing plan earmarked for former art college

It’s estimated the first phase should take about a year starting with the town houses on the bottom floor and then another 18 months to complete.”

While properties to the back would not share the stunning views out to the front, everyone will have access to the rooftop gardens via walkways.

As developers, they have also offered to repair a poor-quality road to the site and landscaping will be included and access to two car parks.

After a history spanning 170 years, UCA closed the Rochester campus in 2023 because of spiralling running costs and cuts in government funding.

It relocated to colleges in Canterbury and the Surrey towns of Farnham and Epsom after failing to raise the £17 million to upgrade the building.

The campus employed up to 100 staff, some of whom lost their jobs, and had about 1,000 students.

The planning application is due to be discussed by Medway councillors at a planning meeting on Wednesday (June 4)

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More