The former headquarters of Kent County Constabulary could finally be redeveloped after lying empty for almost two decades.

Wrens Cross, on Upper Stone Street, Maidstone has fallen into disrepair since Kent County Council quit the site in 1997 and has been at the centre of several proposed developments.

Regeneration of the area was long delayed because at one stage KCC was considering a new road scheme through the town centre, which would have ploughed through the collection of buildings but lack of cash stopped the project.

Now a Listed Building Consent application has been lodged with Maidstone Borough Council to demolish most of the buildings, which run parallel with Upper Stone Street and extend from Knightrider Street back to Foster Street, and replace them with 66 flats over five floors.

A separate block of six flats will be erected and the barracks building will be converted into four flats. A total of 80 parking spaces will be provided.

A Grade II listed building will be renovated and turned into offices and an IT workshop. None of the buildings to be bulldozed are listed.

The application by Geko Developments Ltd marks a significant step forward in the troubled history of the site, which was the home of the county’s police from 1857 until 1940.

Several years ago fire ripped through one of the buildings and thieves have removed anything of value.

In the application it is described as “something of an eyesore, with a disparate collection of buildings that do not particularly relate to each other or the surrounding area. The most significant of those buildings is in a parlous state of repair and incapable of beneficial restoration and use without funding.”

A decision is expected from the end of March and to view the full plans click here.