An empty art college where internationally famous ex students learnt their craft was in danger of becoming a sad blot on the landscape.

But, as Nicola Jordan reports, the University College for the Creative Arts is to be given a new lease of life after being bought by a London-based property developer.

Since closing in 2023, the concrete 1970s-built local landmark has fallen into decay and has been targeted by vandals, intruders and rough sleepers.

But that is all set to end with entrepreneur Terry Pullen planning to invest £20 million on transforming the nine-storey former campus on top of Fort Pitt Hill in Rochester into 102 luxury homes with rooftop gardens.

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 breathtaking 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 meandering River Medway from which the Towns gets its name.

It will also include an art gallery to showcase local talent as a nod to former alumni who include Dame Zandra Rhodes, controversial artist Dame Tracey Emin and respected clothes designer Karen Millen.

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

Mr Pullen is a self-made property expert from south east London known for stamping his no-nonsense approach to doing business.

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

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

His company Fort Pitt Limited specialises in taking on existing under-utilised assets, such as offices and commercial properties, and converting them into modern, affordable, eco-friendly housing.

The 59-year-old said: “To knock it down or even part of it down would be financially unviable. Structurally it’s a solid, robust building.

“The brutalist architecture may not be everyone’s cup of tea. In England, unlike in Europe, we tend to go for floral wallpaper and wooden beams.

“But we will be championing the architecture and the roof terraces.”

Mr Pullen, who is looking to attract the rental market, believes in talking to people in local authorities face to face.

He and business partner Deepak Sharma have joined officers for several meetings and site visits.

He added: “We have a good experience with Medway Council and worked closely on the pre-application with them.

“We asked them what are their housing needs? We asked what do you want, rather than this is what we have got for you.

“Even down do you want white goods to be included?”

A married dad to four daughters, he believes his way of operating avoids often lengthy planning processes and cuts through unnecessary red tape.

Deepak, also a seasoned property developer, said: “Ideally we can start the first phase by the end of the year.

“That will be the townhouses at the bottom floor while at the same time stripping out the top.

“The first phase should take about a year 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.

The two men, who met over a business deal, are founders of The Substantia Group - a consultancy that offers business, property and hospitality services.

Deepak has more than 20 years of experience in acquiring, managing, applying for planning, and disposing of properties.

He holds an extensive property portfolio of his own across London and the south east.

University College for the Creative Arts

After a history spanning 170 years, UCA closed the Rochester campus 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.

Zandra Rhodes, who attended UCA when it was known as Medway Arts College, spoke out after news of the closure was announced.

She along with Karen Millen, expressed her sadness and disappointment, raising concern about the impact it would have on the creative community in Medway.

Terry Pullen

It’s fair to say that Terry’s journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur has taken a few twists and turns.

Brought up in Bermondsey, south east London, he left school at 15 with aspirations of becoming a professional golfer.

It soon became apparent, however, this was not to be when his coach told him he did not make the grade.

He then got the travelling bug and spent time in Australia, waiting at restaurant tables - and igniting a new passion for hospitality.

This dream was shattered dramatically when he had a near-death experience.

One night while at Surfers Paradise in Queensland, he slept walked and plunged seven floors over a balcony.

He said: “I broke virtually every bone in my body, suffered a brain haemorrhage and collapsed lung. I actually stopped breathing for 17 seconds.”

Terry’s resilience kicked in. He spent four months in hospital in Australia learning to walk again and then returned to the UK where he recuperated for a further two months.

Then a friend “who had a bit of money” bought a hairdressing salon in Hayes near Bromley and asked him to go into business with him.

The intention was to turn it into a wine bar, fashionable in that era, but planning permission was refused.

Undeterred Terry drew up a financial plan and enrolled on a hairdressing course at college but admitted to being useless at doing a perm - the style of choice of the day.

At about the same, he invested in a couple of sandwich bars in the same area and his first real break came when he ran a wine bar in south London called the Lazy Toad.

He said: “In parallel to this I was working in London selling financial services.

“I became a principal partner at J Rothschild Assurance.”

His restaurant and private members clubs’ portfolio grew and grew and at one point he had four swanky diners in London’s West End.

He moved to an apartment in the capital where his neighbours were Carol Vordeman and two of the Bee Gees.

Not being a great fan of the glitzy London nightlife, Terry decided to withdraw to the suburbs and bought The Bickley, a gastro pub in Chislehurst.

It was while he was checking his accounts upstairs that he spotted a young lady on CCTV in the bar downstairs.

He added: “It was Amy, the love of my life. She was celebrating her birthday and I offered to buy her a drink.

“We have been together 17 years now and have had just five days apart.”

The couple married and went on to have daughter Poppy-Nell, 14, and twins Beatrix-Rose and Florence-Joy, 12.

Hairdresser Amy and Terry have set up a charity Ada and Albert which supports and inspires vulnerable children.

He is still as dedicated and committed to his job as a businessman and restaurateur.

But as he enters his 60th year, he said: “I have decided to prioritise. I was working seven days and seven night a week.

“I decided it’s time to be a proper dad for my family.”