A Grade II listed barn, formerly used by the Ministry of Defence, could be turned into a restaurant, bar and coffee shop.

Listed building consent is being sought to transform Repton Manor Barn in Sir Bernard Paget Avenue, Repton Park, and if successful eight small retail units would also be created as well as a garden area and parking spaces.

The barn is on the former Templer and Rowcroft Barracks site, most of which is already being developed.

Repton Manor, to the west of the barn, has been converted into offices while Waitrose is to the east and houses have been recently built to the north and south.

A statement submitted to Ashford Borough Council in support of the application says there will be “no change to the scale of the existing buildings”.

It adds that repairs will be carried out using matching materials where possible and new windows will be added on the north and east walls.

The document continues: “During their post agricultural use, the buildings have been used for various purposes including stores, offices, meeting rooms and workshops and have suffered various alterations and unsympathetic additions. Where possible these will be reversed.”

Speaking about access onto the site, the statement adds: “Visibility to and from the site access is good and the traffic generated by the development is not considered likely to have a negative impact on conditions of highway safety here. The proposals have been designed to meet the requirements of Kent Highways.”

In 2008, Shepherd Neame was granted listed building consent to convert the barn buildings into a pub, restaurant and function room with accommodation for a manager but the company didn’t carry out its plans and the buildings are now empty. BTL Developments in Chilmington Green Road, Great Chart, has submitted the new plans.