Regency-era house could be replaced by flats

Canterbury City Council said the designs, shaded in grey and light orange, would preserve the character of the area

A council has submitted plans to turn a former Regency-era townhouse in Kent into a four-storey block of flats.

Canterbury City Council said it wanted to knock down the "dilapidated" building at 74 Central Parade, in Herne Bay, and replace it with six flats and a commercial unit.

The new building would "preserve the historic character of the area" and help with the council's aim of restoring the frontages of buildings along Central Parade, the authority said.

The council said the development, within the town's conservation area, would "act as a backdrop" to the Grade II listed clock tower opposite.

The building in Central Parade, Herne Bay, as it was in October 2024

Phase one of the project focuses on improving the frontage along the seafront, while the next phase would concentrate on the development of the car park in Beach Street at the back of the site, the council added.

It said it was still working on plans for phase two, which are reliant on external funding.

"The phased approach improves the overall viability of what the council is seeking to achieve with the regeneration of this area of the town," a council spokesperson said.

The planning application was submitted on Friday.

A decision on its approval or rejection will be made at a later date.