Charter House in Ashford is set for a new lease of life after councillors approved plans to turn it into a block of 200-plus flats.

Members of Ashford Borough Council's planing commitee last night passed the applications by Dukelease Properties Limited to convert and extend the building to provide 224 flats and 9,880 sq m of flexible commercial floor space, which will be used as offices.

The proposals include constructing two new buildings providing a further 110 flats including associated parking and landscaping.

Twenty per cent of the apartments will be reserved for a Housing Association, 60 per cent of those will be rented and 40 per cent shared ownership.

It was in July that the planning committee backed the proposal but asked for some revisions of design.

Cllr John Kemp, portfolio holder for planning and development, said: "The redevelopment of Charter House will play a huge part of the overall rejuvenation of the town centre.

"It will provide much needed accommodation, will stimulate the evening economy and bring more life back to the area."