Plans for homes on the site of a former pub have moved forward after the land sold at auction.

The empty plot in Pier Road, Gillingham, went under the hammer at a Clive Emson property auction on Monday. It sold for £740,000 - £10,000 under the guide price.

The site was home to a pub which underwent many transformations - being called The Britannia, Spatts and later Expressions.

The pub closed in the early 2000s and the building later was gutted by a fire. It was then demolished and has since remained an empty plot.

The land was sold with two planning consents for redevelopment. Planning permission was granted in 2014 for eight semi-detached houses and in 2016 permission was given for nine terrace houses.

Spatts was where pub owner Sanjay Raval started his career as a barman. He has previously said it was working there after he left school that inspired him to go into the industry.

He later returned as manager and the bought the freehold in 1995. He changed the name to Expression and turned it into an award-wining bar.

The pub was called The Bar Intermission prior to closing.

Auctioneer John Stockey said: “This was an excellent opportunity and the site is close to the university campuses, halls of residence and the Chatham Waters Development.

“This area has been at the forefront of regeneration for the last decade and the lot attracted developers.”