This huge site was divided into 3 areas. The easternmost (No 3) basin was handed over to the Medway Ports Authority and is now a successful commercial port. Nos 1 and 2 basins, together with the adjoining land (the main 19th and 20th Century dockyard) were taken by English Partnerships, and subsequently the South-East England Development Agency, for mixed commercial, residential and leisure development. The 18th Century core of the old Royal Dockyard became the responsibility of an independent charitable trust.
The Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust was established by government in March 1984 and is a registered charity and fully accredited museum.
