A new housing development could see more than 130 homes built across three different sites – including on the land of a former social club.

Esquire Developments has submitted plans to Medway Council for the project on the Hoo Peninsula.

If approved, 134 houses would be built on agricultural land as well as the site of the now-derelict Sturdee Sports and Social Club, both in Stoke Road.

The 10-hectare estate would also feature a children's nursery for 120 tots, a cafe and community hub, and three commercial units.

This would be accompanied by more than two hectares of open space and dedicated play facilities, which Esquire say "will create a vibrant, sustainable community where people can live, work and play”.

Of the 134 homes, 100 would be private properties consisting of 21 two-bedroom houses, as well as 61 three-bedroom and 18 four-bedroom properties.

The remaining 34 homes would be made up of 16 social housing properties and 18 affordable homes, of which 25% would be sold as first homes.

The development also includes the provision of a living quarter of 11 houses and bungalows which would be grouped together specifically for those aged 55 and over.

Based on the outskirts of Hoo, the proposal consists of three different sites in Stoke Road and adjacent to the Ropers Lane roundabout.

Parcel A would consist of 38 homes, while Parcel B would feature 13 properties. The bulk of the estate would be made up on the third site – which would have 83 homes.

They would all be accessed from four new locations in Stoke Road.

Part of the planned plot was once home to Sturdee Sports and Social Club, which has been empty for more than a decade.

Once a popular venue for live music and family entertainment, the social club, first formed in 1932, stopped operating at the property in 2012 and now have headquarters in Sturdee Avenue, Gillingham.

However, the existing 505 sq m building still remains – meaning it would be demolished should the project be given the green light.

In a planning statement, Esquire outlined how the new homes would contribute to a lack of housing across Medway.

It said: "Medway Council is in the early stages of preparing a new Local Plan, which will provide a framework for locating new development and ensure necessary infrastructure is provided and protects the environment.

"Work on the preparation of the new Local Plan has indicated there is potential for development on the Hoo Peninsula as part of the wider growth strategy for Medway.

"Proposals for housing and economic development on the Hoo Peninsula have been included as options at different stages of consultation on the emerging Local Plan over recent years.

"In late 2022, The Hoo Development Framework document was published by Medway Council as part of a public consultation on the future of the Hoo Peninsula."

It continued: "Medway Council has also failed to meet its identified housing needs for a number of years.

"There is a pressing need to deliver housing in the area now and help bring forward homes for local people."

If successful, the development would see each one-bedroom property have a minimum of one car parking space.

Two-bedroom homes would have at least 1.5 spaces, with three-bedroom properties having a minimum of two.

You can view the application here and searching for reference MC/23/2857.

A decision on the application is expected by March 28.

The proposal comes at the same time Esquire are in the process of appealing against refused plans for new homes close to an important bird habitat in Hoo after a “no cats” policy was rejected.

The company asked for permission to build up to 21 homes on land north of Lodge Hill Lane in Chattenden, which is around 1km away from the Ratcliffe Highway.

Yet the plans were quashed by planning officers last autumn due to fears about protecting the nightingale bird species, and so remain in the balance.

Highways bosses have also recently raised concerns about plans for a separate development of 240 new homes near the M2.

Plans to build houses near the Ratcliffe Highway were submitted by Gladman Developments Ltd to Medway Council in September last year.

However, National Highways has issued worries about the project due to its closeness to the motorway.