about st. mary's island
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the development
St Mary’s Island, is part of the Chatham Maritime development area in Medway, Kent. It is located at the northern end of Chatham, adjacent to Brompton and Gillingham. Once part of the Royal Dockyard, Chatham, St. Mary’s Island is divided from mainland Chatham by three basins, one used by Chatham Docks.
In the late 1990s, the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and housing developer Countryside, came together to build homes on the island, under the development name Countryside Maritime Limited. In due course, some parcels of land were allowed to be developed by Redrow and Barratt Homes. Until 2011, the island remained separated from the mainland by two lifting bridges. The main road and pedestrian bridge is now fixed in place.
As well as several hundred new homes, there is a primary school and community church, a community centre, a doctor’s surgery and a late-night pharmacy. There is extensive open space between housing parcels, as well as sports fields and play areas.
There are riverside walks and cycle paths on the island, and many of the paths in the middle of the island give views of the surrounding area.
South of the island (on the mainland), a number of restaurants and other amenities have opened. Nando’s, Pizza Hut, Subway and the Dockside Outlet Centre shopping precinct are all within a five-minute walk. This also includes a local grocery shop and The Ship and Trades public house (a Shepherd Neame outlet). The western lock basin (Basin 1) now houses a 300-boat marina.
Since 2008, with the growth of the island community, the youth club “The Island’s Castaways” has been established, providing many activities for children. Also, for retired members of the community, there is St Mary’s Island Active Retirement Association (SAINTARA) that has been successfully running since 2008. From January 2012 the Maritime WI (Women’s Institute) is also based in the Community Centre.
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