A boarded-up hotel is set to become a seafood restaurant after demolition plans floundered.

The Croft Hotel in Kennington was set to be demolished and replaced with nine houses, but the plans were rejected in January by Ashford Borough Council.

Now a new unnamed owner has taken over the Canterbury Road plot and is expected to open a seafood restaurant on the site.

Town historian Steve Salter says he has met with the new owner, who plans to reopen the hotel rooms as well as running the restaurant.

Mr Salter said: “After being initially suspicious of some hoarding appearing around the building and a recent failed application to demolish the site for housing, the new owner contacted me to reveal The Croft’s exciting future and to put my mind at rest as a historian.

“The Croft is certainly not being demolished - it is being totally refurbished as a hotel and high-quality restaurant specialising in fresh seafood dishes and vegan/vegetarian dishes, and will open next year.

“I personally think that it will be a refreshing and much needed alternative in Kennington that will encourage those seeking quality speciality food from even further afield.”

Boughton Aluph councillor Winston Michael welcomed the news.

He said: "Ashford Borough Council refused the application for development because it was a sound building that still had great commercial potential. The possibility of it remaining as a commercial going concern is welcomed.

“Fine dining is something that Ashford lacks and if it is anything like the fine dining seafood restaurant at Bearsted Green it should be a great success.”