KFC, Costa, Kaspa's and bowling alley planned at former Dickens World in Chatham Maritime
20:33, 27 July 2021
updated: 20:58, 27 July 2021
Plans for a new bowling alley, KFC, Costa and Kaspa's have been put forward to replace a closed tourist attraction.
The old Dickens World at Chatham Maritime is set for redevelopment after owners said they had "attracted interest from new operators".
The main space taken up by the Dickensian attraction, which closed in 2016, could house the bowling alley on the site off Leviathan Way.
A planning application has been submitted seeking permission to change use of the unit between the Chatham Dockside outlet and Nando's.
The original planning decision allowing Dickens World did not allow a business like a bowling alley or coffee shop to open because it did not have the right type of classification.
It also did not contain permission to open a coffee shop like Costa.
However the new plans state: "The application seeks permission for the variation of condition 2 (of planning permission MC/15/1414) to enable a wider range of food and drink operators and indoor leisure uses to occupy the vacant commercial units at the former Dickens Centre.
"The proposed variation will update the condition to take account of subsequently permitted uses and changes to the Use Classes Order.
"In this case the introduction of associated food, drink and leisure uses such as a coffee shop and bowling alley will not have any materially different impacts on amenities to those already permitted at the application site (including a cinema, restaurants and a 24-hour gym)."
Applications have also been submitted to put up illuminated signs for the bowling alley proposals in the former Dickens World and the KFC and Costa along the eastern side of the building.
The designs proposed to Medway Council also include proposals for a Kaspa's sign.
A cover letter by Jonathan Wadcock, of planning consultants Urban Agile, sent to planning officers says: "The proposed works are associated with the re-letting of vacant commercial units to the eastern elevation of the former Dickens Centre.
"The works are minor in nature and relate to changes to the existing shopfronts comprising the insertion and removal of existing entrance doors and the installation of awnings.
"Advertisement consent is sought in respect of new fascia and projecting signs to two units which are to be occupied by Costa and KFC."
Previous plans to open an adventure golf centre and children's gymnastics facility have never materialised under a previous application in 2018 which also sought to expand Nando's next door.
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