New council houses could be built on the site of a former care home which burnt down in an arson attack.

A planning application has been submitted to develop the land in Petham Green, Twydall, Gillingham, where Lennox Wood retirement home once stood.

The home closed in 2009 and the site became a target for anti-social behaviour.

In October 2015 the derelict building was destroyed in an arson attack. Nearby houses had to be evacuated when the blaze ripped through the large two storey building.

The remains of the property were later demolished and the site is now overgrown with only rubble left.

The application has been made by Medway Council which wants to build 19 properties. They will be a mix of two- and three-bedroom homes, with one four-bedroom and one six-bedroom property, all with back gardens.

Each property will have parking which will include electric car charging points.

The planning application reads: "Development at Lennox Wood would be beneficial to neighbouring residents and ensure this long vacant and untidy plot is redeveloped.

"Development would eliminate any potential for anti-social behaviour, as well as any risk to health to trespassers, and remain sympathetic to the physical context."

While some concerns have been raised about more houses being built in the Twydall area, others have welcomed the news that something could be done with the derelict site.

The land has been subject to a number of planning applications over the past decade.

An application for 24 homes was withdrawn in 2013.

The following year an application for 20 homes was initially refused by Medway Council planners but at appeal the Planning Inspectorate granted approval.

Despite this, another application was submitted in 2016, also for 20 homes, which was approved with conditions but these plans never materialised.

People have until May 27 to have their say on the latest plans.

Comments can be made on the Medway Council planning portal by clicking here.