The redevelopment of a multi-storey car park in Chatham has taken a major step forward with £1.5 million secured for its demolition.

Medway Council revealed plans to flatten The Brook multi-storey car park to make way for 100 flats earlier this year.

It has now been awarded £1,578,150 from the government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF) to demolish the 469-space car park, attached to the Pentagon Centre.

The grant will enable the demolition of the six-storey car park as well as diverting utilities and waterproofing existing structures.

Medway Development Company (MDC), the council-owned housebuilder, will be the project manager and contractor for the works after approval was sought from Medway Council’s cabinet in February.

Councillors also agreed to allocate £400,000 towards the scheme, taking the total funding to just under £2 million.

The demolition works will need to be completed by September next year, while a planning application for the 100 flats is submitted.

If granted planning permission, the site would then transfer to MDC or an alternative developer to build the homes.

Medway Council identified the car park as surplus to requirements last year, with a report saying significant funding would be needed to keep it open due to its age.

A date has not yet been set for the closure of the car park.

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