This is what an airport will look like if a plan to improve the site is supported by councillors.

A planning application to demolish existing buildings at Rochester Airport – and replace them with a new control tower, hub building, and family viewing area – has been submitted by operators.

The scheme, which has been given £4.4 million of public money by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), would also help free up land for the Innovation Park Medway project.

One of the airport’s two grass runways would be lost if the upgrade goes ahead, although this is not a planning consideration.

A new control tower would be relocated for “operational line of sight” reasons, while two flying schools operation from Rochester Airport plan to move into the new hub building.

Airport manager Kelvin Carr, who works for operators Rochester Airport Limited, expects a decision on the proposal by the end of the year.

He said: “The buildings that we currently occupy – which was the case even when we first arrived – are well past their sell-by date.

“We have now submitted the application to the local planning authority. It’s going to improve the working conditions for everyone at Rochester Airport, which can only be a good thing.”

Both supporters and opponents of the proposals, which has been the subject of strong opinion from both sides over the years, have had their say through the statutory public consultation.

Hugh Panting, who lives in Rochester, wrote: “We will be left with just one runway which is directly over homes, schools, elderly homes. God forbid another Shoreham air disaster, like in 2015.

“If you want to take the land, take it all – build us a fit-for-purpose new hospital without exposing so many people to unforeseen danger.

“Or, better still, leave it to operate with the two existing runways.”

Meanwhile, Stuart Fotheringham, from Sittingbourne, wrote: “Although steeped in history, this airport needs an update. It’s looking tired.

“It can only benefit the local area and attract more visitors to watch the amazing aircraft that fly from there.”