A fast-food takeaway has been granted permission to open in a Grade II-listed property next to England's oldest school, despite concerns raised by heritage groups.

Wraps and Wings is launching its first Kent branch in Palace Street, Canterbury, in a unit neighbouring the King's School entrance.

Permission was granted on Friday for the renovations necessary to transform the former Espression Arts cafe into a dining establishment, including the addition of a commercial kitchen and the installation of a flue.

The plans also allow the modification of the flats and the construction of an extension allowing alternative entry to the upstairs living space.

Wraps and Wings prides itself on making "memorable" and "flavour-packed" burgers, snacks and shakes.

It has a number of branches in the capital and a takeaway presence in cities such as Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester.

The proposals for the King's Mile in Canterbury were first submitted in 2021 but were met with criticism from those wanting to safeguard the city's history.

The Ancient Monuments Society lodged an objection at the time, along with the Canterbury Heritage Design Forum.

Wraps and Wings boss Vaqas Farook defended the scheme at the time, saying: “We’re not going to be demolishing things - we’re going to be keeping the heritage of the area.

“The history means a lot to us and we are the right people to uphold that.”

Mr Farook along with his fellow directors - Danish Ahmad, Omar Qureshi and Muffadal Abbas - all previously studied at the University of Kent and have long strived to open up in their former city.

Now the plans have been green-lit, they intend to get the restaurant up and running soon and are in the process of hiring kitchen staff.

In the past, the property has housed a tailor, a confectioner’s, a stamp shop and a joke shop before most recently hosting an arts cafe.

Planning officials have also granted the firm permission to hang a sign signalling their business.

Developers say the new business will not impact the day-to-day running of the neighbouring King's School.

The site, which is let by the Cathedral's Dean and Chapter, does not have any space for parking so customers will use on-street spaces or the nearby St Radigunds car park.