The Canterbury Society says proposals to create student flats by the Westgate Towers are a “disaster”.

Developers Paul Roberts and Barretts want to develop the historic building into 125 student flats in three- and four-storeys for mature, post-graduate and research students.

The existing Jaguar showroom facing St Peter’s Street will be retained and converted into a shop, restaurant or wine bar, but no firm plans have yet been drawn up.

The Canterbury Society says it supports the development but fears the tall roof will block views of the cathedral.

Committee member Nick Blake said: “The current application shows a bombastic street elevation to Pound Lane with a long, continuous ridge line which makes no attempt to step down with the falling datum or break up the building into individual elements.

“The elevation is out of scale. It’s right next to the Westgate Towers – many people go up to the towers to see views across the city and of the Cathedral.

“The proposed plan and its flat roof doesn’t fit in with the traditional city buildings.

“The massive area of flat roof looks bad enough on the elevations but if verifiable views were provided from relevant points they would appear as a disaster.”

Mr Blake also says the plan for St Peter’s Street shows “clumsy and unnecessary make-over in an attempt to appear modern.”

He added that he hoped city council planners would reject the application totally, “not just ask for some tinkering.”

The Canterbury Heritage Design Forum (CHDF) urged the council to completely redesign the plans.

In its comment to the council, it said: “The scheme would adversely affect the setting of the Cathedral World Heritage site, and as it currently stands the proposals are detrimental to both the conservation area and the setting of the World Heritage site. The CHDF objects to the proposals and urges a redesign.

“The view from the Westgate Towers across the city to the cathedral is one of the most significant high level views.

“It has been drawn and photographed since the dawn of photography. The scheme will rise up above the general level of the roofscape here, blocking this iconic view of the cathedral.”

The plans also feature space for 10 offices, as well as secure spaces for 42 bicycles.

Barretts will be expanding its existing Land Rover site in Broad Oak Road to create a new Jaguar showroom and offices as part of a £6 million investment.