Medway Council is keeping tightlipped about the progress of ambitious plans to turn part of a shopping mall into a healthy living centre (HLC).

The future of the £10.3 million scheme inside Chatham’s Pentagon is unclear, despite the project first being proposed in late 2021.

The HLC is set to be constructed on the first floor following the successful introduction of a Covid-vaccine hub there during the pandemic.

When asked for an update on the project, the council would not be drawn, only saying the plans are still in their early stages.

The project has been inherited by the Labour administration following its victory over the Conservatives in May’s local elections.

The proposed HLC has faced several stumbling blocks and the building work for the conversion has still not yet begun, despite hopes it would start before the end of 2022.

Last year, the councillor previously responsible for the HLC project, Adrian Gulvin - who is now the Tory group leader - called NHS Property Services a “nightmare” to work with and that the creation of the facility was long overdue.

Plans are already agreed for the design of the site and the process of moving businesses out of the units on the first floor of the shopping centre to other places has begun.

Of 26 possible spaces on the first floor, only three companies remain to be moved elsewhere, Jesse’s Cafe, Just Fabrics, and Chinese Herbal Centre. There is also the WREC Room, which is a council-run youth club.

The recently-closed Wilko’s store is on the first and ground floors.

The longer the period before the site can be designated as under construction the greater the costs will become as the authority becomes responsible for the non-domestic rate (NDR) of all empty units.

Although the council would be paying itself, central government takes 50% of the NDR revenue and Kent Fire and Rescue takes another 1%.

According to a report from 2022, the project must be completed by March 31 next year.

Meanwhile, work on Mountbatten House which sits atop the centre is ongoing with tenders expected to be sought from building companies which to turn it into apartments.