By Hayley Robinson

Amendments must be made before plans to transform the Bell Centre can be given the go-ahead.

Councillors on Swale council’s planning committee have delegated their powers to approve the development to council officers.

Owner Bell Centre LLP has applied for permission to build a four-storey Travelodge hotel with 56 rooms and a car park to the rear of the shopping centre, a four-storey building to be used as a medical centre with six flats above it, and an extension to the Wetherspoon pub to create an outdoor seating area. Existing shops will also be refurbished and there will be an extension to the upper floor.

Outline planning permission has also been sought for a sheltered housing building with 49 flats and a four-storey block of 14 flats.

Before the development is approved, amendments must be made to the front of the proposed Travelodge. The council wants the entrance to be more prominent, and wants changes to windows on one side of the building.

It was also felt the proposed outdoor seating area at the pub should be scrapped as it could disturb residents living in the flats if they are built.

There are also additional conditions required by Kent Highways Services. These relate to parking and turning space for traffic during construction.

Once the development is finished, loading and turning areas have to be retained.

Jim Wilson, Swale council’s major projects officer, said: "Assuming we get all the amendments, the plans will be approved. We hope to have completed all the applications by February 2."