The proposed £25 million redevelopment of Canterbury’s Debenhams site has been slammed by city civic groups for “excessively ugly” aspects of its design.

Architects have drawn up a scheme which will see 11 new shops and food outlets open across three buildings in the Buttermarket, Mercery Lane and Guildhall Street, with 76 flats built above.

KentOnline revealed earlier this month how official plans have been lodged with the city council for approval.

But critics wanting to safeguard Canterbury’s historical architecture have hit out at the proposals and are demanding the designs be redrawn.

They do not have gripes with the vision of breathing life into a large site - which is set to become vacant in the coming months when Debenhams bows out. But they are worried about plans to partly demolish buildings.

Jan Pahl from the Canterbury Society said: “We are concerned about adding an extra storey to the buildings along Guildhall Street.

“These rooftop extensions will inevitably involve the demolition of the row of Georgian buildings, except for their façades. This will produce a building that looks extremely ugly from the rear.

“This is a very sensitive site in the middle of a historic city.

“It is important that whatever is built does not reflect short-term commercial interests rather than the long-term enhancement of one of Britain’s world heritage sites.”

If approved, the city centre development will be called the Guildhall Quarter. A public consultation held this summer resulted in 89% of people supporting the scheme.

But resident Lucy Foster fears her view will be ruined, adding: “I have just moved into a property behind Debenhams.

“My only concern with this plan is the rooftop extension will ruin my view of the cathedral - one of the main reasons I purchased this property.

“I think it’s great to make use of the building but I really hope you will not build up.”

Commenting on behalf of the Canterbury Heritage Design Forum, Tim Carlyle notes the “excessively ugly aspect of the scheme from Sun Yard” and laments “the loss of the Georgian properties”.

But speaking when the plans were revealed in July, Clague Architects partner Karl Elliot said: “We are very aware of its sensitive location and the potential impact of any redevelopment.

“The additional floors will be stepped back from the building line to reduce visibility and it is important to note that they will not be taller than those in Mercery Lane.”

Planners also say the impact on the conservation area will be low to moderate, and views of the city will not be tarnished thanks to the “sensitive architecture proposed”.

Canterbury Business Improvement District chief executive Lisa Carlson says the “city does not need the uncertainty over what might happen to such a large site” - and is therefore supporting the plans.

“We are in a rapidly changing retail environment nationally and developments like this designed to repurpose the space for retailers’ needs are vital for the city’s future,” she said.

“We support this planning application because it aims to repurpose over-sized retail space into more viable and appealing spaces for both independent and national retailers.

“The development of the site currently occupied by Debenhams is the start of one of the most exciting developments the city has seen in many years.”

Closing down signs went up in the windows of Debenhams last week.

Read more: All the latest news from Canterbury