A CHURCH that was once a thriving community centre has been standing empty for nearly three years. But the former St Peter's Methodist church in Trafalgar Street, Gillingham, could receive a new lease of life.

Medway Council is to consider a planning application for the church to be converted into 21 flats, together with parking.

The application for two and three storey flats is due be considered by a council committee on March 6.

The former church, believed to belong to a property developer from Walderslade, was sold in 2000 when four Gillingham churches were merged into what is now Gillingham Methodist Church in Third Avenue.