A slab of concrete that has served no use for more than three decades may become the location of a new block of flats overlooking the River Medway.

Interesting Developments Ltd has submitted a planning application to Maidstone Borough Council seeking permission to build a four-storey block to contain nine apartments at the northern end of Wharf Road in Tovil.

The site is adjacent to the Tovil footbridge which crosses to Barming and provides a short riverside walk into the town centre.

The plot lies within a Zone 3 flood risk area – it is just 15m from the river.

Zone 3 is the highest category of risk, but within Zone 3 there is a subdivision of 3A and 3B, with 3A having a 1 in 100 chance of flooding in any given year, while 3B has a 1 in 20 chance of flooding each year.

The site lies partially within Zone 3B.

For that reason, the design incorporates an open undercroft parking area, with all living accommodation being on the upper three floors.

The building’s plant room remains on the lower floor but will be “flood-proofed”.

The three floors of accommodation will be identical, each with three two-bedroom homes that include a view to the river and a balcony.

The rear wall of the block backs onto a warehouse building, currently used by the Family Martial Arts Centre and by Tilyard Autos, and there will be only glazed windows to bathrooms facing in that direction.

Each flat would have one parking space, with five being outside the building, and four underneath, approached via a ramp. Two additional visitor parking spaces would lie adjacent to the river.

The apartment block would be built in a similar style to that of the nearby Boatyard development of 10 town houses.

A public footpath runs across the site in what will be the “parking forecourt” and there is a privately owned dovecote adjacent to the site.

One tree will need to be felled and three others reduced in height.

Although any future residents should be safe in the event of any flooding, with their living quarters above the water level, they will have no dry means of escape.

For this reason, the applicant says the tenants will have to sign up to an Environment Agency flood message alert and be aware of an evacuation plan.

The Environment Agency has raised no objection to the scheme.

Interesting Developments Ltd have failed to mention anywhere in their application that Wharf Road, on which the development will rely for access, is privately owned by its residents.

One resident of Trevarno Terrace was surprised this week to hear of the plan. He said: “They haven’t consulted us at all and we own the road!”

To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, visit publicnoticeportal.uk

Details of this plan can be seen on the Maidstone council website via application number 23/505527.