A derelict former snooker hall is set to be turned into car-free block of flats and a gym.

The proposal to turn the former Rileys Sports Bar in Green Street, Gillingham, into 57 flats received unanimous approval from members of Medway Council’s planning committee.

In 2022, Gravesend-based developer Kocak Properties Ltd applied to redevelop the site which had previously been a bingo hall, cinema, and snooker club before it closed in 2017.

The plans will see the transformation of the building into flats with cycle storage and a gym for residents.

The flats are billed as a car-free development, providing only two disabled parking spaces, and a condition of approval was that new residents could not apply for parking permits to park on the street.

Another condition was the developer providing £18,000 to mitigate the impact of the new building on wildlife.

The application received 12 letters of objection from locals who cited worries about noise and disruption during construction, as well as overcrowding and pressure on parking.

These concerns were shared by councillors who asked that there be conditions to ensure the building materials for the flats are approved by officers so the site stays in keeping with the rest of the area and doesn’t stand out.

Ultimately, councillors decided to back the proposals, saying that, despite the concerns related to parking, the benefit of renewing a derelict building and easing Medway’s lack of housing.

Cllr Adrian Gulvin (Con) said: “I think we’ve got to look at the positives.

“We’ve got a brownfield site right in the town centre and all the advantages of bringing that back into use.

“Gillingham High Street is vibrant but it still needs a bit of a boost and the extra footfall from this has got to be a good thing.

“And every site like this takes pressure off our greenfield sites - while there are risks I think the benefits outweigh them.”

Councillors voted unanimously to approve the plans which enable the developer to start work on-site.