The landmark shell of a historic former dockyard building is set to be transformed into an exciting leisure complex.

Permission is being sought to convert the Grade II listed Machine Shop 8 near the Dockside Outlet into a sports centre which could include a climbing wall.

An application for planning and listed building consent has been submitted by the owners of the discount shopping centre at Chatham Maritime. And if complex structural issues are overcome, work could start soon it could be up and running within a year.

It is thought the cast-iron frame, which has been exposed to the elements since being built in about 1845, would not have survived more than a few years. Because of its deteriorating state of repair, it has come under the remit of the national Heritage at Risk Register administered by Historic England.

The plan is to carry out structural repairs and repaint it without changing its appearance and character.

Peter Everest, boss of the outlet centre, said: “We had to do something. We have had some very positive response from planning parties

“Some say it’s iconic but to me it is an oddity and looks wrong - a bit like in the recession when builders on a building site went bust.”

He added: “I have always believed retail and leisure should work together. With other facilities here at Chatham this make this a great place to spend a day out.”

Once this application has been approved another will be submitted in about a month’s time to outline possible useage.

Mr Everest, said: “It is one step at a time. This application is for the new shell works. It is quite like have a climbing facility.

A new structure would be formed around the historic frame and then clad on the outside and inside.

This will result in the impression that there is no new structure and, result in clear legibility of the original frame,

Number 8 Machine Shop was built as a dry dock cover in about 1845. It is the earliest surviving metal-framed slip cover. It is understood to have been built at Woolwich Dockyard but was moved when it closed in 1865. It came to use in Chatham as a machine shop, with old photographs showing it crammed with machinery.