Plans have been unveiled to transform a former petrol station site into a retirement village.

The Texaco and Enterprise Rentals site in Staplehurst High Street has not been used for 10 years.

All that remains are old buildings and a former car repair shop.

Churchill Retirement Living intends to build a retirement village on the site, including 27 apartments and two cottages, more than a decade after rumours the petrol station would be demolished for an elderly people's home.

It would include a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments for the over 60s and communal facilities such as a lounge, coffee bar and gardens.

There would be a store for mobility scooters and 15 car parking spaces.

The company estimates it will cost £3.5 million to build.

'The proposed development will contribute to the house needs of Maidstone...'

In a planning statement, Churchill Retirement Living said: “The proposed development will develop a brownfield site within a sustainable location.

“The site has been vacant for a number of years and the site is in a dilapidated state, the proposed development will contribute to the housing needs of Maidstone by delivering the much-needed retirement apartments for the older people.”

The plot was most recently bought by Sainsbury’s in 2012 which was hoping to use it for a petrol station for its new supermarket in Station Road.

However, when the chain eventually opened its Staplehurst store in March 2021 it scrapped those plans.