Fresh concerns have been raised over plans to redevelop a crumbling cinema – with fears the new scheme will ruin Kent’s first conservation area.

The Regent in Beach Street, Deal, has been left in a state of disrepair for years after closing in 2008, with campaigners calling for action ever since.

Owner James Wallace has revealed plans to overhaul the site, which faces the seafront, with a two-cinema theatre planned, as well as nine townhouses.

The Regent would be torn down to make way for the scheme, although the plan is to replicate its design in the new build.

But in response to the application, Historic England has objected over the demolition of the former cinema, and the impact the new buildings would have on the conservation area, which includes nearby Deal Castle and the Timeball Tower.

A statement reads: “We are concerned that the new development would cause harm to the Deal Middle Street Conservation Area and the significance of the Grade II-listed Timeball Tower.

“In our view, the loss of the Art Deco cinema façade on the seafront would erode the coherence and historic character of Beach Street, an important sea-facing street which runs on a north-south axis in the conservation area.

“The height and location of the new housing development could also undermine the landmark quality of the Timeball Tower which was designed to be a focal point in the streetscape.

“We also do not think the proposed development would deliver any heritage benefits.”

Deal Middle Street Conservation Area is significant as the first conservation area designated in the county.

Charity Save Britain’s Heritage also commented on the planning application, which was submitted to Dover District Council (DDC) in August.

Their statement said: “The total loss of The Regent, a local landmark which has been at the heart of entertainment in Deal since 1928, would erode the conservation area’s historic character.“

Overall, 89 comments have been submitted on the application, with 66 objections and 16 supporting the scheme.

One supporter, Diane Almond, said: "I fully support the planning application, it will regenerate a rundown area of the town.”

Originally, a 49-seat picturehouse was proposed as part of the redevelopment, but after that plan attracted heavy criticism from residents for being too small, a new revised scheme was drawn up to include two screens, one with 51 seats and another with 24.

Land to the rear of the site, as well as part of the adjoining council-owned car park in South Street, is earmarked for nine four-bedroom townhouses, each with its own private garden, with the sale of these helping fund the proposed cinema.

Three flats initially planned to be built above the new theatre have been removed from the scheme, which was drawn up by Canterbury-based Clague Architects.

A new public toilet is also included in the plans, as the existing block in the car park is set to be demolished. DDC has yet to agree to sell the land on South Street.

A new cafe and restaurant will also be added alongside a multi-function room.

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Clague Architects stated the scheme would secure the future of the site and could give something back to the community of Deal.

The Regent opened as a music hall in 1928 and became a 911-seat cinema five years later.

It remained a picturehouse for 30 years before becoming a bingo hall, but closed in 2008 and has been empty ever since.

DDC is expected to make a decision on the plans later this year.