Boarded-up homes once occupied “unlawfully” near a school and church could soon be given a new lease of life.

An application has been submitted to transform two derelict houses on a corner plot in Strood into between four and six flats.

According to the plans, the site on Hillside Avenue, was subject to an enforcement case in 2018 where it was deemed to have been used “unlawfully” as a “large-scale” house of multiple occupancy with up to ten rooms and potentially 20 tenants.

This decision was upheld at appeal in 2020 and required the building to be reverted back to four flats which have sat empty ever since.

However, supporting documents also say the vacant buildings have been the site of trespassing and illegal use since they were boarded up.

Quiddity Group Ltd submitted the application on March 4 after consultation with council officers in a pre-application process about how best to proceed.

The submitted application, which was validated by Medway Council on April 3 and is described as a “relatively straight-forward conversion”, would create six two-bed flats and, since there is not available space for off-street parking, cycle storage for six bikes.

There is land at the rear of the property which is also currently vacant and sits opposite the English Martyrs Catholic school and church.

It is designated as white land, meaning it has no set purpose in the council’s local plan, but it isn’t part of the refurbishment application.

The proposals are currently being assessed by council officers and are open for letters of support, objection, or mixed opinion through the council’s planning portal.

If enough letters of objection are raised, or if officers see decide there are circumstances which warrant it, the application will go to a planning committee meeting.

To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here.

The standard consultation expiry date is April 25.