A four week consultation looking at plans to close the busiest family court in Kent has started.

Hearings at Medway County and Family court in Chatham will soon be relocated to Maidstone as the building's landlord is looking to redevelop the site for residential use.

Maidstone Combined Court is also set to be extended by five courtrooms as part of the project.

As it stands, the court at Anchorage House could soon be turned into 81 homes if plans are moved forward.

Despite attempts by HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) to extend the lease due to end in January next year, no progress has been made. It had hoped to find another suitable location in Medway but this has not been possible.

Instead, Maidstone's court on Barker Road, more than 11 miles away, will have to increase its capacity and more cases will be heard over the phone and via video link.

This process has been effectively tested during the pandemic and is set to become a permanent feature in the justice system.

Donna Bolton, delivery director for HMCTS in the south east, said the long-term plan, set out last year, is to focus on main strategic centres in the major towns and cities with the best transport links, which means "consolidating" buildings and investing in the ones that remain.

Ms Bolton said: "Whilst there were no immediate plans to reduce our estate in Kent, circumstances outside our control has meant that we have to vacate the county court building in Medway.

"We are therefore consulting on the relocation of civil and family court business to Maidstone."

The proposals show up to £12m could be spent building an additional five courtrooms at Maidstone, while also moving some work out of Medway Magistrates’ Court to free up space.

Upgrades in Maidstone would not be complete until late next year. This means civil and family work would temporarily have to be shared between other sites across the county such as Dartford, Canterbury, Thanet and Maidstone to help the cope with demand.

The scheme is subject to a consultation, which launched on Tuesday ,and lasting for four weeks.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone