By Hayley Robinson

A new development partner is being sought as part of Sittingbourne's multi-million pound town centre regeneration plans.

Swale Borough Council has advertised for developers and landowners to submit proposals on what they feel should be done.

The authority is aiming to revamp central Sittingbourne - improving transport links and housing, shopping and leisure facilities.

Council chiefs will study the suggestions and decide on whether it wishes to work with the firms or individuals behind them.

Interested parties have until Thursday, September 9, to submit their initial proposals.

As well as outlining what their ideas are and how they would work, they will need to demonstrate a track record of successful development schemes elsewhere.

They also have to show that their ideas would be commercially viable.

Tesco had entered into a short-term agreement with the council to be the chosen development partner.

Although this expired in March, the company says it is still keen to play a part.

Spokesman Michael Kissman said: "We are still looking to work with the council. We will look at the tender that has been put out. We are committed to investing in Sittingbourne."

Swale council director of regeneration, Pete Raine, said: "Members felt that before entering into another cooperative agreement with Tesco, which owns a huge chuck of land in Sittingbourne, we needed to find out if any others would like to work with the council and this is a way of flushing them out."

Council leader Cllr Andrew Bowles said: "This is a very clear and positive step forward by the council.

"By the end of the year, we will have a developer in place to help us realise our aspirations for the town centre. This is real progress, and will bring to an end the past years of uncertainty."

This month will see the formal adoption of the Sittingbourne and Milton Creek Masterplan which sets out the planning framework for the regeneration of the town centre.