A town centre shopping centre, which has been empty for nearly 10 years, is up for sale.

Plans to redevelop the Trafalgar Centre in Chatham and its multi-storey car park have been given the green light.

Medway councillors have approved the scheme to demolish the disused outlet in the High Street to make way for 175 flats, art studios and offices.

The adjoining car park with 152 spaces, which was accessed via Rhode Street, is also part of the package.

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

Built in the 1960s to house a supermarket, it was taken over by In Shops in 1990 with a fast-food court, café, independent shops and crèche.

It closed just before Christmas in 2013 when the company went into liquidation.

It has outline planning approval for the apartments which will be arranged in three blocks.

It is hoped the development will breathe new life into that section of the high street which has seen Debenhams and Go Outdoors shut in recent years.

In 2020 it was bought by Aylesford-based developer Terance Butler Holdings for £2.87 million.

Councillors have expressed concerns about the design of the scheme and how it would blend in with existing buildings in the town centre.

Historic England also commented on how the view from the Naval War Memorial on the Great Lines would be impacted by the height of the development.

The highest block was originally planned to be 11 storeys but this was later reduced to eight. The initial proposal was for 200 apartments.

Affordable housing is not included.

The council has instead settled on £500,000 in Section 106 contributions, which includes money towards doctors surgeries, and improvements for transport and green spaces, including at The Paddock and Chatham Waterfront.