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Bold proposals to open a rooftop restaurant on top of an ugly office block are set to be given the seal of approval.
Developers want to transform Newingate House - a five-storey building which overlooks the ring-road in Canterbury - into a dining attraction with views across the city.
The top-storey restaurant would be housed in a “lightweight glass box” based on the cafe design at the Tate Modern in London.
The striking plans, submitted by the Girne American University, were hatched last year but withdrawn months later after council officers recommended the project for refusal.
They argued a rooftop restaurant was probably better suited for within the city walls.
Developers have since redrawn the blueprints and tweaked the proposals for the outdated 1960s' office block in Lower Bridge Street.
A previous vision for an entertainment venue offering indoor crazy golf, table tennis and darts on the lower levels has now been scrapped after officers criticised the loss of office space in the original proposal.
However, the plan to renovate the building’s mundane exterior by installing multi-coloured panels have remained.
An existing side office block attached to Newingate House would also be demolished to make way for a new five-storey extension, featuring 10 residential apartments, while a lift shaft to transport diners up to the top floor restaurant would be installed.
Eight objections have been lodged from neighbours and heritage groups.
Among the concerns raised were loss of privacy from balconies, increased noise and a lack of parking spaces.
Councillors are due to vote on the recommendation at Tuesday’s planning committee meeting.
Planning officers say the glass box restaurant would “add architectural interest” and are confident the project would “preserve the setting of Canterbury’s World Heritage Site”.
They said: “Given the sustainable location adjoining the city centre and its siting above existing office accommodation, a restaurant in this location would be acceptable in principle.
“The loss of a relatively small amount of office space that would result from this development is outweighed by enhancements to character and appearance of the conservation area.
“The rooftop restaurant will positively contribute to the vitality and viability of the city centre and would have an acceptable impact on neighbouring properties and therefore is recommended for approval.”
