Eight flats and an inaccessible rooftop courtyard could be built above a WHSmith store after new plans were revealed.

Developers want to knock down the first floor above the shop in Ashford high street to make way for flats over two new storeys.

The existing retail space for WHSmith and the Post Office – which sits at the back of the store – would be revamped under the scheme.

If approved, there would be six two-bedroom flats and two studio apartments accompanied by the rooftop courtyard, which would be out of bounds due to privacy reasons.

Designs drawn up by Rutter Architects, on behalf of developer London and Surrey Estates Limited, show the mini courtyard would be on the first floor in the middle of the flats.

It would overlook Taylors Passage, a dingy walkway between Park Street and the high street which the developers want to improve.

The path, which sits between WHSmith and Cafe Madeleine, is currently used for bin storage and is described as “extremely untidy” and “exceptionally uninviting”.

It is hoped the courtyard will make the passage more inviting by allowing in more natural light from the flats above.

The bins scattered on the pavement will instead be placed in a new dedicated bin storage area.

Ornamental trees, hedging and grass would feature in the courtyard to encourage wildlife, but residents would not be allowed to access the site.

Instead, the flats on the first floor would have a small patio area next to the courtyard and those on the top floor will have balconies overlooking the courtyard.

Four of the flats will be accessed through an entrance near the front of WHSmith on the high street, while a new entrance to the remaining four will be through a separate door in Taylors Passage towards Park Street.

None of the homes will come with any parking spaces, but there will be space to store up to 12 bicycles from the entrance near Park Street.

A flat, green roof is also proposed for the top of the building, while no changes would be made to The George Hotel next door, a Grade II-listed building.

It is unclear if WHSmith and the Post Office will be able to continue trading through the works, but both have been approached for comment by KentOnline.