A FORMER factory site in Kent should be used to provide jobs instead of housing, a senior councillor has said.

Medway Council is considering plans for about 165 homes to be built on the former Alloy Wheels factory site, in Priory Road, Strood.

Developer Helvig is putting forward plans for a mixed use scheme, which includes some employment with workshops and offices creating about 200 jobs.

Polluted soil and materials would also be removed.

However, Strood councillor Jane Chitty (Con) believes the site, which once employed more than 300 people, should be used solely for business purposes.

She said: “This is an important employment site. When we think about regeneration for Medway, we need to think about employment as a fundamental part of the scheme.

“I was on the picket line with the Alloy Wheels workers when the site was shut down. It would be more than a shame to not see those jobs replaced.”

Former Medway Council Labour councillor Derek Munton said: “At the moment, the site is an employment zone. It has become derelict even though Medway needs all the jobs it can get.

“Homes are going to be built all over Strood. These will help address our housing shortage, but all the people who will live in the new houses need jobs of some sort.

Project spokesman Fraser Whyte, said: “We believe substantial early investment in this site will be the catalyst for improvements in the area.

“Subject to receiving the go-ahead, work could start almost immediately.

“The first homeowners and new businesses could be on site before the end of this year.”