Part of stadium site could be converted into a council depot.

That is one option being considered for Sittingbourne's Central Park which was once home to both Sittingbourne and Maidstone football clubs and speedway, and is now only used for greyhound racing.

Arena Racing (Central Park) Limited (ARC) signed a new 25-year lease on August 14, last year, to continue to run races at the site in Church Road, Murston. But Swale council retains a parcel of land north of the main arena flanked by Swale Way and Castle Road.

According to the council's regeneration and property committee on Thursday night, the council has been looking at ways of disposing of the land which is used by Bredhurst Juniors Football Club.

Councillors heard an unnamed company had been interested in buying the site but had since withdrawn "due to changes in the economic climate."

Inquiries about buying the land have also been received by Bredhurst Juniors FC and "other parties".

The whole of the site is subject to covenants restricting its use to sports and recreational uses.

Emma Wiggins, the council's director of regeneration and neighbourhoods, said: "There may be an opportunity to rationalise other recreation property holdings onto this site to release value elsewhere."

The land, subject to three short-term tenancies including the football club, can only be reached through Central Park's car park. Councillors were told improved access was needed before commercial uses could be agreed.

The council says it will need a depot for a fleet of rubbish trucks it is buying for its new waste disposal contract and will also need space for ground maintenance lorries.

The report says these could "potentially" be housed on part of the Central Stadium site.

It says: "There are potential savings generated by such a use.

"It is likely that a depot use could be achievable in tandem with a sports occupier remaining in place on the portion of the site currently occupied by Bredhurst Juniors FC, either by way of a leasehold or freehold disposal.

"If future use as a depot was achieved, then a release of the restrictive covenants would be required."

A depot would use just under half of the earmarked site.

It was agreed to retain the property for future use by the council and to identify costs for creating a new access into Church Lane.