Plans to cover hoardings surrounding a former cinema site with pictures - at a cost of over £20,000 - have been slammed and labelled a "waste of public money".

The former ABC cinema site in Tunbridge Wells is now surrounded by a 150m run of hoardings after the building was demolished last month.

Tunbridge Wells borough cabinet members decided large-scale, hi-res images to be taken by a local photographer and some submitted by councillors should be pasted on the boards in a bid to promote the borough.

Owners of the site, Bellhouse Joseph Ltd said they have met the requirement of providing hoardings and are not prepared to pay for enhancements - the council have taken on this responsibility.

However, since the plans - which will cost approximately £24,000 - were announced there has been an influx of negative responses, with many questioning the financing.

Lib dem councillor for the St James ward, Ben Chapelard said the proposal was a complete "waste of public money" and the liberal democrats in Tunbridge Wells were looking for a way to force a review of the decision.

He added: "The costs outweigh any possible gains, My question would be, what difference will it make to getting the site redeveloped?"

"TWBC should be encouraging the owners to open up the site to the community - not using public money to erect a Berlin wall to keep out residents.

"The site is right at the centre of our town so, whilst the owners draw up their plans, let's use it to bring people together."

Photographer, Victor Bethell, said images placed on the hoardings would most likely be covered in grafitti within a week. He added: "One answer might be to cover the artwork in whichever form it takes with protective clear and cleanable plastic sheets."

Tonbridge flood warden, Carl Lewis said there should be a competition for residents to take photo and a collection chosen.

Dianne Brick said it is a "disgraceful" use of public money. She commented: "If there's cash to spare, there are many needy, worthwhile causes."

Council documents state respective costs of £24,000 would be taken from a reserve set up at the time of the introduction of night-time parking charges, and would "therefore have no impact on Council operating budgets."

"I’d imagine £24k could be better used by the council for a front line service, this decision by the council must be over turned immediately" - Tom Chown...

In a debate on Twitter, Jim Clarkson commented: "Here's a (free) idea - why not get local schools to decorate the hoarding?"

Tom Chown said: "In theory it’s a great idea to give the town something nice to look at, but why is the council paying for a private company to improve the look of their premises?

"Bellhouse Joseph and the Carlye Group are multi-million pound property developers who can afford to maintain their own investments, at a time when we hear about councils having to make spending cuts all the time how is it ethical to use tax payers money in this manner?

"I understand the idea came from Berkeley Homes’ hospital site and Dandara on Knights Park who have done similar schemes, presumably they both paid for their own livery and printing etc, what’s different with this multi-million pound development.

"I’d imagine £24k could be better used by the council for a front line service, this decision by the council must be overturned immediately."

The use of photographs and design is estimated to cost £3,000, with the installation of large scale versions priced at £21,000.

The council said it would need to be clear that this is a one-off initiative given the prominence of the site within the centre of town and in an area of high footfall and the potential to promote the town to visitors.

Council leader David Jukes said the new, improved hoardings would be a "great enhancement" to the town.

"The site is already so much brighter without the cinema. I thought we would have lots of complaints but we have had none.

"The structure is not suitable for a car park. We should proceed with providing £24,000 from the economic development budget for pictures on the hoardings."

Individual members of the Town Forum and Civic Society have been advised of this outline proposal and were supportive, according to the council.

It said there is no requirement to undertake this work, but even if redevelopment works were to start promptly the hoardings would be in place for several years, "which would allow the town to benefit from a positive and confident display around a key site."

Councillor Jane March, cabinet member with responsibility for tourism, leisure and economic development has responded to the criticisms.

She said: "We want to enhance the hoardings around the cinema site so that they show visitors how diverse and attractive the town and borough are.

"A local photographer is giving his time to coordinate the project with a steering group which will draw on a number of photographic sources from the community.

‘We want to get things moving as quickly as possible because we are mindful that the Christmas shopping season is imminent and more people will be coming into the town.

"Supporting retailers and providing a more attractive environment in the centre of town is an objective of the council’s Destination Management Plan and this project reflects this."

What do you think about the council's plan? Take our poll above or leave us your comments below.