The old maternity unit of Gravesend and North Kent Hospital will be knocked down to make room for dozens of flats.

Up to 80 homes with one, two, or three bedrooms will be built in place of the five storey building in Bath Street, which has been vacant since 2006.

The NHS had said that the building, known as ‘M Block’, was surplus to needs, and the proposal to erect the flats went before Gravesham council’s regulatory board on Wednesday night.

Plans for commercial space on the ground floor and 66 parking spaces, albeit only 53 for residents, are included within the application.

Two objections were received by people who live nearby concerned about disruption and disturbances caused to locals by the demolition and construction.

Both were also concerned about the number of flat developments already in the town.

Although the application was approved, work will not be allowed to begin until a detailed sustainable surface water drainage scheme has been submitted.