A public exhibition setting out a vision for the long-term future of Rochester Airport takes place this week.

The two-day event will be held next door to the airfield at the Innovation Centre, Maidstone Road, Chatham, from 10.30am to 8pm today and tomorrow.

Medway Council’s cabinet agreed before Christmas to begin the process of drawing up a master plan for the airport that will form the basis for any future development.

Deputy leader Cllr Alan Jarrett said the exhibition will bring residents and businesses up to date on the plans.

He added: “It will be the first of many opportunities for comments to be made on these exciting proposals, which ultimately will form the basis for any future planning application.

“I would encourage both residents and businesses, especially those living near the airport, to come along and help us to shape how best to protect the site and open it up for business, tourism and the wider community.”

Visitors to the exhibition will be able to give their feedback on the plans, which include replacing many of the existing buildings.

One of the grass runways on site will be closed and replaced with a new parallel grass and paved runway.

The paved runway will allow modern small aircraft to climb to a higher altitude very quickly, reducing the impact of noise on surrounding homes.

The new runway layout could allow 29 acres near to Rochester Airport Industrial Estate to be developed as a new hub for science or technology-related firms – with the potential to eventually create up to 1,000 new skilled jobs.