A scheme that could bring almost 500 homes to Maidstone would also feature one of the town’s highest buildings.

Plans are being drafted for derelict land off Royal Engineers Road next to the listed Springfield House.

They include 492 high-rise homes, some with rooftop allotments, and a 17-storey structure at the heart of the development.

This is taller than existing tower blocks in the town. Midhurst Court, off Mote Road stands at 13 storeys, while the newly finished Miller Heights apartments are set in a block with 12 floors.

The new Springfield homes are being planned by property regeneration firm U+I. The company has had planning consent for a section of Springfield Park in place since 2006 for 192 homes and offices.

Instead of building the offices, U+I is planning to submit another application in mid-October for another 300 homes, the majority of which would be for private rent. This phase includes the flats set over 17 floors.

Richard Upton, deputy chief executive of U+I, said: “The plans submitted prioritise the development of high quality, mid-market homes with easy access to the centre of London in locations where housing demand continues to grow.”

In 2014 a planning application was submitted for another part of the area to create a supermarket, doctor’s surgery and three smaller shops, worth £20 million.

Maidstone council indicated its approval but when it came to the planning meeting, the committee voted to refuse it amid concerns it threatened regeneration around Maidstone East station.

The Maidstone East plans moved a step closer last month after a joint bid was made by Maidstone and Kent County councils to buy the former sorting office in Sandling Road and formulate a plan for offices, housing and shops.

Maidstone council ended up defending the refusal in a High Court hearing and a judge found in its favour.

Under the U+I plans, the homes have been designed by Guy Hollaway Architects, the firm behind several Kent projects including the regeneration of Dreamland in Margate and the Rocksalt restaurant in Folkestone.

Land at Springfield has been vacant for almost 20 years and is identified as a potential site for 950 homes in the council’s draft local plan.