A project to restore the Police Section House at the former Royal Dockyard Chatham is to get £3.5 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to help it push ahead.

Plans to turn the Grade-II listed building into a leading centre for creative digital production, education, and community engagement were approved in December.

The idea is a collaboration between the University of Kent, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, and Medway Council to transform the old police station into a hub for innovation while preserving the site’s historic value.

The scheme also includes a new signature building, landscaped gardens, and facilities for teaching, co-working and exhibitions, plus a cafe.

Forty years on from the closure of the dockyard, the project partners say the aim is to turn what was once a centre of technical innovation and cutting-edge design into a new epicentre for creative innovation in a digital era.

The funding comes as part of the National Lottery’s total £14.7 million funding pot for industrial maritime, social and ecological assets across the UK.

The application submitted last year said the redevelopment would create 57 jobs and could represent £16 million in value to the local economy over 10 years.

The redevelopment has already received £5.6 million in funding from the Department of Levelling Up as well as £3.5 million from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport via Arts Council England.

The police station, built in 1857, has been partially refurbished since 1987 when the dockyard closed and has been used by various companies as office space.

The redevelopment is expected to begin in the summer and should be completed by the end of 2025.

Cllr Lauren Edwards, Medway Council Portfolio Holder for Economic and Social Regeneration and Inward Investment, said: “We are thrilled that this inspired project has successfully secured this important funding which will bring a massive boost to the creative and cultural sector in Medway.

“We are particularly excited about the opportunities it will bring for local young people to learn and develop new skills and shape their careers for the future.

“Last year, Medway was honoured to be one of just nine initial Heritage Places by the National Lottery Heritage Fund which will enable us to continue to use our important national heritage to drive regeneration and create meaningful pride in Medway.

“I would like to congratulate the whole team who have made the vision for the Docking Station a reality and look forward to seeing the development take shape in the months to come.”