PLANS to turn a police station into a block of flats have been put on hold to give councillors more time to reach a decision.

Kent Police has applied to Medway Council for permission to pull down the station in Birling Avenue, Rainham, to make way for 22 one and two-bedroomed flats, which would face on to Birling Avenue and Berengrave Lane.

But councillors deferred the decision so they could conduct a site visit.

If approved, Kent Police has also agreed to give Medway Council nearly £99,000 to provide for children’s local needs.

The station will close when Medway’s new police headquarters opens in Chatham Maritime in February 2006.