Amended plans for student accommodation for private school pupils have been approved.

Rochester Independent College had applied to build a 103-bedroom boarding facility in the High Street as part of the town's Bardell Wharf development.

The proposals – which included a rooftop garden, gym, cafe, study rooms and a cinema – were approved by Medway Council's planning committee in December.

But the school has since made changes to the plans.

Planning committee members, during their meeting yesterday, unanimously approved partial demolition of the former Peugeot car showroom and AF Smith and Sons building and construction of a four-storey accommodation block.

The new plans no longer include a cinema and gym and the number of bedrooms has been reduced to 85.

Students will have access to facilities including a café, common room and laundry room.

The halls will be within walking distance of its St Margaret's Banks school.

The remaining four sections of the Bardell Wharf site between the High Street and Corporation Street have been sold to a developer for mixed retail and housing.

Councillors also gave approval for renovation of a sports pitch in Gillingham.

Star Meadow Sports and Social Club in Darland Avenue – where Hollands and Blair play – will get a new artificial football pitch.

The new pitch will include two new dug outs, mesh nets behind the goals, eight cycle spaces and 14 new parking spaces.