Downside Rochester, Medway
36 addresses across 2 postcodes (ME2), about 140 m long, classed as a local road. USRN 32100596.
- Energy: 22 homes have an energy certificate (B: 1, C: 12, D: 8, E: 1).
- Flood: No address on its postcodes is in an area at high or medium risk of flooding from rivers, the sea or surface water.
- Council tax: Most homes around it are in council tax band B; Band D in Medway costs £2,329 a year in 2026-27.
- Broadband: Gigabit broadband is available to 100% of premises.
- Transport: The nearest railway station is Strood (Kent), about 890 m (0.6 miles) away in a straight line.
- Green space: The nearest park or garden, Broom Hill Park, is about 770 m (0.5 miles) away.
- Air: Background air pollution in 2024 was 12.6 µg/m³ of nitrogen dioxide and 7.8 of PM2.5, within UK legal limits.
- Height: Its addresses are 21 to 27 m above sea level.
- Noise: 24 of its 36 addresses are modelled at 55 dB or more from road traffic.
- Doctors: The nearest GP surgery is Apex Medical Centre, about 430 m (0.3 miles) away, with 2 practices within 1.6 km (1 mile).
- People: About 570 people lived in the census areas around it in 2021; 44% of households owned their home and 23% of adults held a degree or other higher qualification.
- Crime: 103 crimes were recorded within 250 m between September 2025 and August 2026, most often violence and sexual offences.
Sales on this street
No sales recorded on this street since January 1995 under this street name.
Energy performance certificates
22 homes with a current certificate; median floor area 56 m². Most common: Flat (22). Built: 1950-1966 (10); 1967-1975 (8); 1976-1982 (2). Tenure at assessment: owner-occupied (14); rented (private) (8).
Council tax
What each band costs in Medway in 2026-27: Band D £2,329 a year on average, including the police, fire and any county and parish charges.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £1,552 | £1,811 | £2,070 | £2,329 | £2,846 | £3,363 | £3,881 | £4,657 |
Homes by band in the neighbourhood around this street: most are in band B (54% of about 650 homes).
Planning and heritage
- Conservation area: no postcode centre in this street's postcodes is in one.
- Listed buildings on or by this street: none.
- Article 4 direction (removing permitted development rights): none recorded, though not every council has published theirs.
- Tree preservation orders: none recorded, though not every council has published theirs.
- Green belt: no.
Brownfield land registered for housing within 1 km (0.6 miles)
- Land rear of 161-163 High Street, Strood: up to 6 homes, permissioned (330 m)
- North Side, Priory Road: up to 19 homes, not permissioned (390 m)
- 100 - 110 High Street Strood: up to 8 homes, permissioned (510 m (0.3 miles))
- 13-17 North Street, Strood: up to 7 homes, permissioned (530 m (0.3 miles))
- Former Tug & Shovel, North Street, Strood: up to 9 homes, not permissioned (570 m (0.4 miles))
- 75-81 High Street Strood: up to 9 homes, not permissioned (590 m (0.4 miles))
- 70-76 High Street, Strood: up to 8 homes, permissioned (620 m (0.4 miles))
- 22 & 24 St Marys Road Strood: up to 6 homes, permissioned (670 m (0.4 miles))
Roadworks
Finished in the last three months
- 17 September 2026 to 20 September 2026: BT, Utility asset works, some carriageway incursion, on the footway, carriageway (minor works)
Flood risk
Rivers, the sea or surface water: in this street's postcodes, 0 addresses are in areas at high risk, 0 at medium risk and 1 at low risk. Each address counts once, at the higher of its rivers-and-sea and surface-water risk.
Rivers and the sea alone: no home is in an area at risk.
High: 3.3% (1 in 30) or more chance of flooding a year. Medium: 1% to 3.3%. Low: 0.1% to 1%. Very low: under 0.1%. The rivers and sea figures allow for flood defences. Counts cover whole postcodes, which can include other streets.
Flood zone for planning: no postcode centre on this street is in flood zone 2 or 3.
| Postcode | Planning zone | Addresses at high / medium / low risk | Groundwater |
|---|---|---|---|
| ME2 2DP | not in 2 or 3 | 0 / 0 / 0 | unlikely |
| ME2 2DL | not in 2 or 3 | 0 / 0 / 1 | unlikely |
Height above sea level
The street's 36 addresses are between 21 m and 27 m above sea level (24 m on average); the ground rises about 6 m from the lowest to the highest.
Broadband
| Postcode | Superfast (30 Mbit/s+) | Ultrafast (300 Mbit/s+) | Gigabit | Below 10 Mbit/s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ME2 2DL | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
| ME2 2DP | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
Getting around
| Nearest | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| Railway stations | Strood (Kent) 1.2 million journeys in 2024–25 | 890 m (0.6 miles) |
| Rochester 2.1 million journeys in 2024–25 | 1.5 km (1 mile) | |
| Chatham 2.4 million journeys in 2024–25 | 2.9 km (1.8 miles) | |
| Bus stops | 11 stops within 400 m (0.2 miles), 31 within 800 m (0.5 miles); nearest Downside Strood | 20 m |
| Bus or coach station | Waterfront Bus Station Chatham | 2.8 km (1.8 miles) |
| Ferry terminal | Town Pier Gravesend | 9.9 km (6.1 miles) |
| Car parks | Rochester Riverside Multi-Storey Car Park | 1.5 km (0.9 miles) |
| EV charging points | 3 within 1.6 km (1 mile); nearest MFG Charging Station | 470 m (0.3 miles) |
| Airport with scheduled flights | London Southend Airport SEN | 24.1 km (15 miles) |
| Nearest large airport | London Gatwick Airport LGW | 54.4 km (34 miles) |
Local services
| Nearest | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| GP surgeries | 2 practices within 1.6 km (1 mile); nearest Apex Medical Centre | 430 m (0.3 miles) |
| Pharmacies | 7 pharmacies within 1.6 km (1 mile); nearest Gl Strood LTD | 280 m |
| NHS dentists | 4 practices within 1.6 km (1 mile); nearest Central Road (Dental Surgery) | 120 m |
| Hospital | Medway Maritime Hospital | 4.2 km (2.6 miles) |
| Police station | Kent undercover police. | 3.9 km (2.4 miles) |
| Cash machines | 4 machines within 800 m (0.5 miles); nearest Tesco Bank ATM | 310 m |
Parks and green space
| Nearest | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| Park or garden | 1 within 800 m (0.5 miles); nearest Broom Hill Park 4.7 ha | 770 m (0.5 miles) |
| Play area | 1 within 800 m (0.5 miles); nearest Unnamed 2,020 m² | 260 m |
| Playing field | 3 within 800 m (0.5 miles); nearest Unnamed 2.4 ha | 20 m |
| Allotments | 3 within 800 m (0.5 miles); nearest Strood Hill Allotment 1.1 ha | 370 m |
Within 800 m (0.5 miles): 1 park or garden, 4.7 hectares in all.
Landmarks
The nearest historic landmark is Temple Manor, Strood, a scheduled monument, 750 m (0.5 miles) south. 13 listed buildings are within 1 km (0.6 miles), 1 of them Grade I and 1 of them Grade II*.
| Name | What it is | From the middle of the street |
|---|---|---|
| Temple Manor, Strood | Scheduled monument | 750 m (0.5 miles) south |
| Temple Manor | Listed building, Grade I | 760 m (0.5 miles) south |
| Parish Church of St Mary | Listed building, Grade II* | 780 m (0.5 miles) east |
| Bridge Chapel | Scheduled monument | 1.1 km (0.7 miles) south-east |
| Rochester Castle | Scheduled monument | 1.2 km (0.8 miles) south-east |
| Jewish Burial Ground, Chatham Memorial Synagogue | Registered park or garden, Grade II | 2.4 km (1.5 miles) south-east |
| The Officers' Terrace, the Historic Dockyard, Chatham | Registered park or garden, Grade II | 2.9 km (1.8 miles) east |
| Name | What it is | From the middle of the street |
|---|---|---|
| Broom Hill | Hill | 720 m (0.4 miles) north |
| Bridge Reach | Tidal water | 1 km (0.6 miles) east |
| Gashouse Point | Wetland | 1.4 km (0.9 miles) east |
| Head Barn Wood | Wood | 2.1 km (1.3 miles) south-west |
| Gundulph Pool | Lake or reservoir | 2.6 km (1.6 miles) east |
| Snodhurst Bottom | Valley | 4.7 km (2.9 miles) south-east |
Air quality
| Pollutant | Here | UK limit | WHO guideline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) | 12.6 | 40 | 10 |
| Fine particles (PM2.5) | 7.8 | 20 | 5 |
| Particles (PM10) | 12.4 | 40 | 15 |
All three are within the UK legal limits; nitrogen dioxide and PM2.5 are above the WHO guideline, as in most towns and cities.
Road and rail noise
| Level | Road traffic | Railways |
|---|---|---|
| 65 to 69 | 15 | 0 |
| 60 to 64 | 4 | 0 |
| 55 to 59 | 5 | 0 |
| Under 55 | 12 | 36 |
24 of the street's 36 addresses are modelled at 55 dB or more from road traffic, above the WHO guidelines.
Climate, daylight and earthquakes
Monthly temperatures and rainfall, sunrise and sunset through the year, and earthquakes recorded nearby since 1970 are much the same across the area, so they are worked out once for Medway: see them on the Medway page.
Nearest schools
| School | Phase | Ages | Distance | Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Nicholas CEVC Primary School Church of England | Primary | 4–11 | 130 m | No overall grade (Jun 2025, graded inspection without an overall judgement): Quality of education: Requires improvement; Behaviour and attitudes: Good; Personal development: Good; Leadership and management: Requires improvement |
| Gordons Children's Academy, Junior | Primary | 7–11 | 320 m | Good (Sep 2022, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| Gordons Children's Academy, Infant | Primary | 5–7 | 320 m | Good (Sep 2022, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| All Faiths Children's Academy | Primary | 3–11 | 480 m (0.3 miles) | Good (Jan 2020, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| Elaine Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | 750 m (0.5 miles) | Good (Sep 2022, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| English Martyrs' Catholic Primary School Roman Catholic | Primary | 4–11 | 1 km (0.7 miles) | Good (Jul 2023, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| Cedar Children's Academy | Primary | 3–11 | 1.1 km (0.7 miles) | No published inspection |
| Temple Mill Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | 1.3 km (0.8 miles) | No published inspection |
| Rochester Riverside Church of England Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | 1.3 km (0.8 miles) | No overall grade (Jul 2025, graded inspection without an overall judgement): Quality of education: Good; Behaviour and attitudes: Good; Personal development: Good; Leadership and management: Good |
| Hilltop Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | 1.4 km (0.9 miles) | No published inspection |
| Leigh Academy Strood | Secondary | 11–19 | 1.5 km (0.9 miles) | Report card (Jun 2026): Curriculum and teaching: Strong standard; Achievement: Expected standard; Attendance and behaviour: Strong standard; Personal development and wellbeing: Strong standard; Inclusion: Strong standard; Leadership and governance: Strong standard; Post-16 provision: Expected standard; Safeguarding standards: Met |
| Maritime Academy | Secondary | 11–19 | 1.7 km (1 mile) | No overall grade (May 2025, graded inspection without an overall judgement): Quality of education: Good; Behaviour and attitudes: Good; Personal development: Good; Leadership and management: Good |
Food hygiene ratings nearby
| Business | Type | Distance | Rating | Rated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castleview Day Nursery ME2 3PP | Hospitals/Childcare/Caring Premises | 90 m | 5 Very good | 29 May 2025 |
| Cherubs Montessori Day Nursery ME2 3PP | Hospitals/Childcare/Caring Premises | 90 m | 5 Very good | 29 May 2025 |
| Castle View House ME2 3PP | Hospitals/Childcare/Caring Premises | 140 m | 5 Very good | 28 Mar 2026 |
| Jayson's Ices ME2 2DH | Mobile caterer | 190 m | 5 Very good | 18 Dec 2025 |
| Barrel & Bun Xpress ME2 3PA | Takeaway/sandwich shop | 200 m | 5 Very good | 22 Jul 2026 |
| Coach And Horses ME2 3PA | Pub/bar/nightclub | 200 m | 5 Very good | 25 Jun 2026 |
| Park And Shop ME2 3HX | Retailers - other | 230 m | 5 Very good | 3 Jun 2024 |
| Strood Conservative Club ME2 2BU | Retailers - other | 240 m | 5 Very good | 11 Nov 2025 |
| Strood Sports Centre ME2 3JQ | Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 260 m | 5 Very good | 24 Jul 2025 |
| The Bench Cafe LTD ME2 3JQ | Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 260 m | 5 Very good | 27 May 2026 |
| God's Own Kitchen ME2 3ES | Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 280 m | 4 Good | 17 Apr 2026 |
| Bryant Road Fish Bar ME2 3ES | Takeaway/sandwich shop | 280 m | 5 Very good | 14 Nov 2025 |
| STROOD MINI MART ME2 3ES | Retailers - other | 290 m | 5 Very good | 7 Aug 2024 |
| BRYANT ROAD NEWSAGENTS ME2 3ES | Retailers - other | 290 m | 5 Very good | 28 Nov 2024 |
| AFRICAN SHOP LTD ME2 2BT | Retailers - other | 290 m | 5 Very good | 3 Jul 2025 |
Crime within 250 m
| Category | Crimes |
|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 25 |
| Anti-social behaviour | 21 |
| Other theft | 13 |
| Vehicle crime | 11 |
| Criminal damage and arson | 7 |
| Public order | 7 |
| Drugs | 6 |
| Possession of weapons | 5 |
| Other crime | 5 |
| Burglary | 1 |
| Theft from the person | 1 |
| Shoplifting | 1 |
Most of these are attached to: On or near Petrol Station (21); On or near Madhuran Court (16); On or near Northcote Road (14); On or near Wyatt Place (11); On or near Central Road (9).
People and work
Who lives here
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32 | 40 |
| Children under 15 | 27% | 17% |
| Aged 65 and over | 13% | 18% |
Homes
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Owned (outright or with a mortgage) | 44% | 61% |
| Owned outright | 19% | 33% |
| Shared ownership | under 1% | 1% |
| Social rented | 33% | 17% |
| Private rented | 22% | 21% |
Work and commuting
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (16 and over) in work | 54% | 57% |
| Unemployment (of those working or looking for work) | 9% | 6% |
| Retired (of adults) | 15% | 22% |
| Long-term sick or disabled (of adults) | 4% | 4% |
| Work mainly from home (of those in work) | 20% | 32% |
| Travel to work by car or van | 58% | 48% |
| By train, Underground, metro or tram | 6% | 4% |
| By any public transport, including bus | 9% | 8% |
| On foot or by bicycle | 10% | 10% |
| Work within 10 km (6 miles) of home (of those who travel to work) | 49% | 65% |
| Work 30 km (19 miles) or more away | 18% | 8% |
Education and languages
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Degree or other higher qualification, Level 4+ (of adults) | 23% | 34% |
| No qualifications | 25% | 18% |
| Apprenticeship as highest qualification | 5% | 5% |
| Main language English (aged 3 and over) | 93% | 91% |
| Cannot speak English well or at all | under 1% | 2% |
Deprivation
The neighbourhood around this street is in decile 1 of 10 on the English Indices of Deprivation 2025, where 1 is the most deprived tenth of England's 33,755 neighbourhoods and 10 the least.
What has changed
Nothing new since the change feed started on 30 October 2026. New sales and energy certificates, and hygiene ratings, school inspections and flood figures nearby, will be listed here as the sources update.
Postcodes on this street
Nearby streets
Watling Street · Castle View Road · Wyatt Place · Northcote Road · Central Road · Gordon Road · Charles Street · Witham Way · Woodstock Road · Roach Street · Warblers Close · Humber Crescent
What this page cannot tell you
- Whether a particular house is at risk of flooding, subsiding or anything else: the flood map is a model of areas and there is no property-level data here.
- What a home is worth now: sales are historic prices for the homes that happened to sell.
- How safe the street is: crime points are moved to anonymised locations and many crimes are never reported.
- Whether you would get a place at a school: distances are straight lines, not catchments.
- Who lives on the street now: census figures describe the small areas around it in March 2021, during a lockdown.
- How long a journey takes or how often anything runs: transport distances are straight lines to the nearest stops.
- Whether a GP practice is taking new patients, or a dentist new NHS patients.
- How loud a home is inside, or noise from industry, neighbours or smaller airfields: noise figures are models of road, rail and air traffic outside.
How each figure on this page is matched to the street and worked out: methodology.