A long-empty shopping centre put up for sale just weeks after planning permission for its transformation was granted will result in a "raw deal" for residents, it's been argued.

Chatham's Trafalgar Centre - which has stood empty for almost 10 years - is due to be converted into 175 flats, art studios, and offices.

Aylesford-based Terance Butler Holdings gained permission to demolish the High Street building earlier this year and has now put the site up for sale.

The neighbouring multi-storey car park in Rhode Street is also due to be partially torn down.

During the meeting - which took place in August - some councillors said they were unhappy with the plans not including any affordable housing.

The authority's own standards say depending on the size of the development, a quarter of new homes should be affordable which could mean social rented, affordable rented, or a shared equity scheme.

Head of planning Dave Harris explained to councillors how his officers settled on the developer paying around £500,000 in Section 106 contributions rather than providing the affordable homes.

The contributions will include money towards doctors surgeries, and improvements for transport and green spaces, including at The Paddock and Chatham Waterfront

During last week's planning committee meeting held on Thursday the issues surround the site were raised again.

Cllr Simon Curry (Lab) said the developer had not given "any thought to the community in Chatham whatsoever".

Speaking after the meeting, Chatham councillor Vince Maple (Lab) said: “To see the Trafalgar Centre site put on the market just a few weeks after getting planning permission with no affordable housing shows once again that Chatham residents are getting a raw deal whilst some developers will be making a handsome profit.

"It cannot be right that developers take this approach and it shows that the system needs radical reform to stop this sort of activity happening time and time again.”

The site was bought by Terance Butler Holdings for £2.87 million in 2020.

Bids for the freehold of the site must be submitted by Thursday, November 10.

Terance Butler Holdings was approached for comment.