Plans to build 166 new homes at the site of a former town centre cinema have finally been submitted.

A £72million redevelopment of the derelict ABC cinema in the heart of Tunbridge Wells has taken a step closer after long-awaited plans were sent to the local authority.

If approved by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, a revamp of the Mount Pleasant Road plot would see an eight-storey retirement village built, with a café, outdoor space, hydrotherapy pool, spa and gym.

The plans come from Retirement Villages Group (RVG) which is owned by AXA IM Alts and already has planning consent for a later-living community that was greater in height than the current proposal.

In April, a public consultation was held to find out people's views on the plans, which would see a new public space with a central courtyard for residents and the wider community to enjoy.

Additionally, the transformation of the former cinema site, which has been empty for 23 years, will be a net zero carbon project – so it will be net zero carbon across both its development and operational lifespan.

The plans would also reactivate the ground floor fronting Mount Pleasant Road and Church Road, with nine retail units available for independent businesses.

RVG’s proposed scheme has responded to the consultation feedback through design changes and enhancements to the façade at the Church Road and Mount Pleasant Road junction – and includes a reduction in height and the inclusion of additional windows and articulation.

Development manager at RVG, Caroline Keiller, said: “We’re committed to bringing forward a development that is viable so that we can bring this long-dormant site back to life and contribute long-term benefits to the town centre.

"Our scheme will provide an attractive housing option for older people who not only want to downsize, freeing up family-sized homes, but who also want to remain active in their community close to their network of family and friends.”

Originally, developers asked Tunbridge Wells Borough Council for a "screening opinion" on whether it was necessary to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment with the planning application, and the council quickly ruled that it would not.

Environmental Impact Assessments are costly and take a long time to prepare and not needing one gave the green light for developers to submit their plans.

Documents reveal there are also plans for basement parking to hold 60 cars.

The last proposal, prepared by Elysian Residences, gained planning permission for 99 flats, but the firm pulled out before building them.

The old ABC cinema closed in 1999 and was demolished in 2014.