Medway Council's vision unveiled for Chatham

Medway Council hopes the masterplan will bring jobs and investment

A draft masterplan to bring jobs and extra investment to Chatham has been approved by Medway Council.

The local authority hopes to attract top retailers by creating an extra 30,000 sq metres of shopping space and car parking facilities.

The indoor market in High Street and Central Theatre are also earmarked for a revamp.

The council said it hopes the blueprint will help Chatham become the "regional centre" of the area.

City status bid

Cllr Jane Chittty, who has cabinet responsibility for economic growth, said: "As we continue to buck the economic trend, this project highlights the need to be ambitious and invest in our future."

The plans will go before the public during a six-week consultation in June.

Last month, five towns in Kent announced they were making a collective bid for city status during the Queen's Jubilee Year in 2012.

Medway Council's campaign brings together the towns of Rochester, Strood, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham.