More homes are set to be built alongside a new Sainsbury’s on land once home to a fire station.

Plans were put forward in July to redevelop the plot on the corner of Watling Street and Star Mill Lane in Gillingham.

Formerly Medway Fire Station, the site closed in 2017 to make way for a new £4.8 million facility on a neighbouring plot in Watling Street.

However, the vacant area has since been given the green light by Medway Council to become a Sainsbury’s Local alongside 12 new homes.

Councillors had already approved the plans for the store and new housing in February last year.

Previously, four maisonettes, each with two bedrooms, above the convenience store, plus five two-storey homes fronting Star Mill Lane were granted approval by Medway Council.

Now, the four apartments will remain and eight two-bedroom flats will form the development - the latter in the form of a completely new building set back off Star Mill Lane.

It means the total number of homes put forward in the proposal has increased from nine to 12.

The amendment came after developers decided to build self-contained residential accommodation for individuals who, due to a range of disabilities and health conditions, require specialist care.

Information released by Hartley-based Kent Kraft Developments in their latest planning statement said: “There is a substantial, but unsatisfied, need for care and support accommodation which the proposed operator has established locally in consultation with Medway Council and Kent County Council (KCC).”

The supermarket will comprise 15 car parking spaces, including one for disabled users, as well as four separate spaces for residents of the maisonettes.

Previously, Cllr Gary Hackwell (Con, Rainham South East) asked how the parking would be managed, to which head of planning Dave Harris said the shop would be responsible for the management of the car park.

A further eight spaces will be created for occupants in the new apartment building.

It comes less than two months after a separate plan was proposed to demolish another former emergency services building in place of new homes.

A proposal was submitted to knock down the now-closed Medway Ambulance Station off Star Mill Lane in January.

The ongoing application, submitted by DHA Planning on behalf of Carvill Developments, seeks to build 14 homes on the 2,600sq m site – which has been vacant since June last year.

The station had been put on the market by the NHS Foundation Trust, via estate agents Sibley Pares, before being purchased for around £1 million by Carvill.

To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here.

You can view updates on that proposal by visiting Medway Council’s planning portal and searching for reference MC/23/2814.

A decision is expected by March 18.