Plans to turn a former St John Ambulance centre into new homes are back on the table.

Thompson Hall in St Michael's Road, Sittingbourne, was first acquired by the medical organisation in December 1959.

The 157 sq m property remained as a training centre for volunteers for more than 62 years.

It was then sold for £160,000 to Ikon Construction Services Ltd in August 2022.

The company tried to convert the property – which it describes as in a "vacant and dilapidated condition" – into new housing but saw its application to Swale council rejected earlier this year.

When explaining the reasons for refusing the proposal, the council said: "The building occupies a prominent position on St Michael's Road and forms part of the Sittingbourne Conservation Area.

"The council considers that the building contributes positively to the character and appearance of the conservation area through its architectural form and appearance.

"It forms part of the complex of buildings still visually and historically linked with the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel to the south and west of the site, which collectively contribute strongly to the Victorian townscape at this location.

"The scale, design and appearance of the proposed building would fail to respect the historic townscape of which it would form a new part, and the wider street scene."

The report also said the proposal's bin and cycle storage facilities were of inadequate size, and added that the development would also "create potential for recreational disturbance to the Swale Special Protection Area (SPA)" – a duty of EU member states to safeguard the habitats of some migratory and threatened birds.

Ikon has now submitted another application, to demolish the building and replace it with nine flats over four storeys.

If successful, the homes would include one two-bedroom flat and eight with one bedroom each.

The application planning statement says the new proposal will benefit not just potential occupants, but also Sittingbourne town centre.

It said: "A high quality, new building is proposed that contributes positively to the townscape and helps support the vitality and viability of the town centre.

"At the time of purchase, Thompson Hall was in the vacant, dilapidated condition it is today.

"This site presents a significant opportunity for redevelopment that will benefit the economic, social and environmental well-being of the area.

"The proposals will improve the character of the area, increase economic activity and deliver market and affordable housing on this previously developed site.”

In a bid to see the latest proposal approved, changes have been made to the original application - something noted in the application's heritage statement.

Those changes include adding cycle spaces and payment to the council to go towards mitigation measures as the development is within Swale's SPA.

It says: "The conclusion of the report is that a scheme to replace the existing building would cause some low-level harm by virtue of the loss of the building, but that loss would be offset by a new building that could provide a long-term use on the site and add to the architectural regeneration of the area.

"It is recognised there would be an initial change to the skyline appearance, however, that change will appear part of a modern townscape, which comprises a number of key and notable new buildings between the High Street and the railway station.

"In this respect it will leave the significance and visual character of St Michael’s Road preserved, and indeed add, to the architecturally diverse character, and enhance the area in a way that can, and will, be of benefit to the long-term viability of the town."

With regards to issues surrounding the property's cycle space, the application now proposes to build storage for 10 bikes.

As the site is within Swale's SPA, the applicant also intends to tackle these concerns by making a financial contribution to mitigate the potential impacts of the development.

Developers will have to contribute £278.88 per property, meaning a total of £2,482.92 is required - something not proposed previously.

You can view the application here, searching for the reference 23/504128.

A decision is expected by November 13.

Meanwhile a decision on the building of three apartment blocks of 51 homes – also in St Michael’s Road – is expected by October 23.

An application was submitted by Swale Rainbow Homes in July for a mix of one, two and three-bed properties, spread over one five-storey apartment block and two four-storey blocks in Cockleshell Walk Car Park.