A new student accommodation block could be coming to a historic town building.

Proposals to renovate a building in the middle of Brompton High Street and create 20 rooms for students have been submitted to Medway Council.

If approved, the plans involve demolishing the rear of the building to extending it and renovating the front, creating seven en-suite rooms on the ground and first floors and six on the second floor.

There will also be a communal area and one kitchen for all those living in the newly converted building, which was formerly a café and, before that, The Bunker - a military surplus shop.

The application, from London-based planning agent Michael Traynor, says the rear of the building was extended in the 19th century, but these additions are now becoming unsafe because of bowed walls and disrepair.

The front is much older, and is believed to be one of the oldest remaining buildings on the street, dating from around 1700.

While not listed, the application says it aims to keep the designs of the front as close to its original state as possible, and this will be discussed further with the authority’s conservation officers if approved.

The upper floors are already used for accommodation, with a studio apartment and a three-bed flat, and the original idea had been to expand this offering.

However, in pre-application meetings, planning officers reportedly said converting the property into flats wasn’t viable but, being close to nearby universities meant student accommodation would be appropriate.

The plans would see the rear extensions demolished and a new building constructed in their place, but with a gap between the two, where currently they are connected.

Documents say this will serve as a lightwell and provide the new rooms in both buildings with natural light.

Other problems identified with the later additions at the rear of the building include poor quality foundations, decaying fabric, and deteriorating structural condition.

The application was submitted in May but was only validated on October 20 and is now being considered by Medway Council planning officers.