A development of town centre flats with offices beneath has been approved.

Plans were put forward to Dartford council to extend the offices in Highfield House, West Hill, Dartford.

The proposal involved demolishing two neighbouring buildings in Spital Street to accommodate more offices with 23 flats above them, as well as one shop on the ground level.

The owners of Highfield House, Kwisdom Properties Ltd made the application so they can expand their business; they will also take over the retail unit and offer some of the flats to their staff at subsidised rates.

Members of the council's development control board unanimously approved the plans during a virtual meeting yesterday (Thursday).

Councillors added conditions regarding the provision of motorcyle parking and the layout of electric vehicle charging points.

Plans to continue the development at Mill Pond Road in the town centre, were also given the green light.

Under the proposals, 14 more flats will be added to the development known as Langley Square, which consists of more than 600 homes.

The plans for the block were previously considered without any commercial space which prompted the council to put forward a case for refusal of planning permission.

However councillors approved a fresh proposal by developers Weston Homes Plc which included 275 square metres of commercial space on the block's ground floor, as well as a roof top garden, underground and visitor parking.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford