Tree-lined streets, hundreds of homes and a Further Education college are included in ambitious plans for the continued transformation of a town centre.

Millions of pounds have been ploughed into Sittingbourne, which has seen the opening of a leisure quarter with new shops, restaurants, a hotel and Light cinema.

Swale council is planning to capitalise on the achievements and a new report has set out proposed major changes to other parts of the town.

The vision includes a "mansion block" community hub with what would be the district's first Further Education college is planned for Central Avenue.

There are plans for at least 850 town centre homes. Some would be flats above existing shops, others would be affordable dwellings on Cockleshell Walk car park, the Fountain Street "island" and the former bus depot in East Street.

The road linking the Avenue of Remembrance with Albany Park would be pedestrianised and restricted to residents and hearses.

It is also hoped to create a new crossing for pedestrians and cyclists over the railway line.

A "warm and safe" shelter for waiting passengers would be added to the bus hub.

Councillors also want to convert St Michael's Road and Eurolink Way into tree-lined avenues and open up links across the town – to Milton Creek Country Park in the north and Albany Rec in the south – with underused alleyways.

A new green space would replace the car park in front of the Forum shopping centre.

Under the plans, the junctions with Bell Road and East Street and where Crown Quay Lane joins St Michael's Road and Eurolink Way would be redesigned.

The proposals were unveiled during a virtual meeting of Swale council's Local Plan Panel earlier this month. (Dec 15)

Cllr Mike Baldock, cabinet member for planning, said: "All town centres face severe challenges. Changes in shopping habits and Covid restrictions have affected local businesses.

"However, Sittingbourne has been shown to be a particularly resilient town centre. We have also seen positive changes since the leisure complex opened.

"We now want to build on that success and have delivered a visionary plan to really take Sittingbourne forward."

There are also aspirations to develop a heritage area by restoring historic buildings "which have deteriorated through decades of neglect".

The scheme will go out to public consultation next month if approved by the cabinet.

The document will sit alongside the existing local plan to set out what the council wants from landowners and developers.

Cllr Baldock (Swale Independents Alliance) promised: "While we’ll be focussing on big improvements, protecting the rich heritage of the town centre will be at the heart of any future development.”