Ambitious plans to transform an empty art college which has been branded an “ugly” blot on the landscape have been given the green light.

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.

And now Medway councillors have approved the £20million project on recommendation of their planning officers.

Cllr Adrian Gulvin, speaking at the planning committee on Wednesday (June 4), said: “For well over a hundred years, Medway had a first-class arts college, and it was really part of our community and there are some very well-known people who have passed through there over the years and gone on to make major contributions to the visual arts nationally.

"Having said that, the building itself, whilst it had a really good purpose, is probably amongst the ugliest buildings in Medway, and it's also in a very prominent position.

“From what I've seen of the pictures for the redevelopment, it can only be an improvement."

It 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 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.

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 £2.8million acquisition.

He said: “We have been very impressed with the constructive interaction we have had with Medway planning, councillors and local stakeholders, to get to the point of a successful application.

“We are now fully committed to discharging the conditions set, so we can deliver our regenerative repurposing project, on the uniquely brutalist Fort Pitt building.”

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.

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.

To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here.

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 £17million to upgrade the building.

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