By Hayley Robinson

A cinema - that’s what the people of Sittingbourne would like to see built at the old paper mill site.

More than 70 people took part in a Twitter poll which was launched two weeks ago as part of a public consultation by the land owners London-based Essential Land to gage what residents want built at the site in Milton Road.

Fifty-seven per cent (26 votes) said they wanted a cinema, 39 per cent (18 votes) wanted 10-pin bowling, four per cent (2 votes) wanted a five-a-side soccer centre, 24 per cent (11 votes) wanted a museum and 48 per cent (22 votes) wanted other leisure facilities such as an ice rink, music venue or nightclub.

Comments left on the Facebook site ConsultSittingbourneMill suggest new houses should take a back site in the proposed £30 million development which is subject to planning permission being received.

Lorraine Friend wrote: "Why build new homes when we have nothing here? It makes sense to have amenities for everyone rather than build more homes so we have more kids roaming the streets as there is nothing for them to do."

She added: "Let’s be honest the whole of Sittingbourne does not have much going for it and decline in recent years has become evident by the very few shops we [have].

"We need to bring people into the area from the outskirts as they would take their business to other towns that can cater for the needs of families.

"A whole new town to be formed with decent shops cafes and also few new bars, also a new nightclub is a must."

Scott Hammond, partner at Essential Land, said the response was pleasing but he wants more people to take part in the consultation process.

He said: "We are pleased that people are responding to our polls as it shows that they are excited about our proposals. If an operator can be found that will meet our commercial terms then we will look to provide it as long as it doesn’t conflict with what the council wants for the town centre regeneration.

"Leaflets will be issued in a couple of weeks so most residents will be made aware of the consultation then. We also intend to contact local groups and schools."

Essential Land’s plans include a cinema complex, a 10-pin bowling centre, up to 200 homes, a retail superstore, a community building and museum to commemorate the history of the Paper Mill. There would also be improved links including new cycle and pedestrian routes alongside Milton Creek and improved access between the site and the town centre.

Other amenities would include the full reopening of the Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway service and a waterside park alongside Milton Creek transforming the old docklands into a destination for local people and tourists.

Essential Land bought the site from Finnish paper company M-Real for £5.65m in June. While the vision for the site is subject to planning permission, the mixed use development is expected to create 300 building jobs and a further 400 jobs once the site is finished.

To find out about the scheme and participate in the consultation, visit the website www.sittingbournemill.com/future ConsultSittingbourneMill on Facebook and ConsultSM on Twitter.