The redevelopment of the Kingsmead area of Canterbury should happen as soon as possible, says a prominent city councillor.

Labour group leader Alan Baldock was at Wednesday night's meeting of the city council's policy and resources committee which approved amended plans for the redevelopment of the 23-acre site.

He said: "It would be good to get this going as soon as possible - the sooner the better.

"This isn't the best looking part of Canterbury and this is a much needed overhaul of the area."

Cllr Baldock, and his fellow Northgate ward member Jean Butcher, are among city councillors of all parties backing the redevelopment.

He added: "The development is now set to go ahead so let's get on with it."

Developer Link City had presented a modified set of proposals to the policy and resources committee for a cinema, shopping and restaurant complex on the former coach park, Serco depot and a section of Sturry Road.

It did so after carrying out investigative drilling on the ground it intends to build on and found it contains boggy earth.

Link City has also redrawn its cinema plans, moving from a 10- or 12-screen multiplex cinema to one featuring smaller auditoriums to adapt to a changing movie theatre market.

Ninety private homes and a 550-room student accommodation are also envisaged for the 23-acre site.

Kingsmead represents the last large urban redevelopment area in Canterbury.

The council hopes the first element of it will be ready by 2020.