Plans have gone in to develop an old bingo hall.

The former Buzz Bingo building on Chatham High Street – which fell victim to pandemic closures – could be put back into use if plans to convert it into homes is successful.

Those behind the plans, Donard Living, had a public exhibition in the town showcasing the proposals back in November.

The Belfast-based firm - who are also fronting plans for 374 flats in Rochester - have now officially requested planning permission from Medway Council.

If approved, the building would host 231 flats across two blocks which would be six and 10 storeys high. The flats would have one, two, and three bedrooms.

There would be 93 parking spaces and a communal garden for residents, including a play area.

There will also be two units at ground floor which the applicants have said could be used for commercial purposes or for community use.

The company has also said it would offer some of the space to Spotlites Theatre, which neighbours the building.

A report presented to the council says the design of the two blocks has taken both from the building's former life as a cinema and Chatham's naval history.

The building had been the Ritz Cinema, which opened in 1937. Its use as a bingo hall came to an end in 2020.

The plans are due to be decided by Thursday, April 6 and can be viewed here.

The proposals for the Bardell Wharf site near Star Hill, Rochester, is due to be considered at a meeting of the planning committee on this Wednesday (January 12).

The decision was deferred last month after councillors requested more time to analyse the proposed changes to the pedestrian crossing on Star Hill.