A site once earmarked for the development of a Tesco superstore and new library could now become a storage depot.

Blueprints have been drawn up to turn the site in Commercial Road, Strood, next to Tesco, into a facility which will house 47 shipping containers.

Tesco previously had plans to use the plot to expand and redevelop its Strood store, which would have seen it treble in size.

But in 2015, the project was among dozens scrapped by the retailer following a downturn in profits.

In 2013, Tesco is thought to have pulled out of an agreement to help build a £1m library and community hub, which would have formed part of the redeveloped supermarket site.

According to the application submitted to Medway Council, the site is still owned by Tesco and designated as overflow parking but it has never actually been used to that effect and lacks a suitable surface for car parking.

The application states: “This site remains prominent, overgrown with vegetation and vacant. This contributes to a generally poor quality street scene environment.”

Brayden Storage Containers, a family-run business, wants to run the storage facility for both business and domestic customers.

Individuals or businesses will be able to rent space to store anything from household items during a house move, to hard copies of records.

The company said ideally they would like permission to permanently use the site, which is opposite McDonald’s, but would consider a temporary agreement.

The application adds: “Ideally, with permanent permission for the proposals, Brayden Storage Containers Ltd could secure and develop their business.

"However, given that the aspirations of the Masterplan involve promotion of a comprehensive development of the entire Tesco site, including this piece of land, it is anticipated that permission may more likely to be granted on a temporary basis with a timescale to match the length of the lease being offered (namely a three year period) which Brayden Storage Containers would consider a positive compromise.”