A new hotel could be built in Chatham town centre to cater for the Chinese tourist market.

A building on the corner of the High Street and Manor Road, which has stood empty for several years, could be turned into an 84-bed venue.

Behind the £500,000 plan is Kevin Shen, 32, who owns the Cosmo Chinese buffet restaurant on the ground floor.

He claims to have links to a Chinese travel agent in London which could give the Asian tourism market in Medway a big boost.

He said: “Rochester is very historic and in Chatham we have the dockyard. Then there’s Leeds Castle and other attractions nearby.

“I think Rochester will be booming. These days Chinese people are quite rich and they will see opportunity. They might invest in properties and stay here and spend money, or buy a house near the river.

“We’ve got universities here so the parents might think of that for their children.”

Mr Shen has lodged the plans with Medway Council, saying he has already spent £50,000 fixing leaks in the roof.

But there is likely to be a fierce debate over parking – which is not provided for in the proposal.

Mr Shen said: “We’ve got the back yard so if we need a car park space we can develop that area, but most of the people who stay overnight will be tourists who would come down on the train or a bus.”

Objector Roland Stanley, of nearby property firm Sylenta Properties, said: “Parking is already at a premium in the area and this scheme provides no parking arrangements at all.”

Mr Shen said he was hopeful of using council-owned parking spaces, but admits not seeking advice before he lodged the plans.

If approved, he hopes the hotel will gain three stars and create 10 jobs.

Medway Council had proposed a hotel in Medway Street, just yards away, but replaced the plan with apartments earlier this year due to “concerns over its economic viability”.

But this week a spokesman said: “Chatham Waterfront is still in the planning stages, and a hotel may still be part of this in the future.”