Plans for five new town centre shops and 17 flats have been approved, despite concerns over a lack of parking spaces.

Councillors voted through the application to transform The Original Factory Shop in Deal High Street into the five separate stores, with the new homes above it.

Ahead of the vote, residents had raised concerns as no parking spaces have been allocated by the developers.

Commenting on Dover District Council’s (DDC) planning portal, Karen Marsh said: “Yet another proposed development with no parking.

“Where are the residents meant to park? There is precious little parking for residents in the area anyway.

“The car parks should be for visitors to come to the town and shop, eat in the restaurants, etc.

“When Deal has no visitors or shoppers etc because there isn't any parking for them Dover District Council will rue the lack of business rates etc and the kudos of a busy high street.”

Suzanne Roberts, who runs a restaurant close to the site, added: “We are a business parking permit holder and on many days in town – especially Saturdays and Sundays – cannot find a space despite paying for one….where on earth would the residents [of this development] park?”

Those behind the scheme had acknowledged there is "no opportunity" to provide spaces, but highlighted the presence of public car parks in Middle Street, Park Street, Stanhope Road, and at the town hall and St George's Church.

But members of DDC’s planning committee voted the application through without debate after council officers had recommended approval, saying there were enough car spaces nearby.

Their report said: “Provision of the development with no parking is considered acceptable for the town centre location.

“Kent County Council Highways has advised that sufficient overnight parking is available within the vicinity of the site and that they have no objection to nil parking provision.”

The application is by a Mr I Hoffman of Tottenham, north London.

Two stores for a total 42 bicycles are being provided to encourage cycling, with two to three spaces per flat.

‘Where are residents meant to park? There is precious little parking for residents anyway….’

The authority has at other times accepted housing developments with no parking provision.

Just last month 16 new homes and three shops were approved to replace the former Royal Leisure Centre in King Street, Deal, despite more concerns over a lack of dedicated spaces.

A total of 12 letters of objection had been submitted to the council for The Original Factory Shop application, also because people were against the loss of a discount shop and because they feared loss of privacy and light.

Gabriella Jones said on the planning portal that the building had always been a discount or department store and added: “Deal now has hardly any chain stores and the small stores need large chains as an anchor.

“The footfall like everywhere has fallen since the pandemic but with M&S going it's declined even more.”

Marks and Spencer, a key store in Deal High Street, closed in April 2019.

But four messages to the planning portal supported this new application saying it would help regenerate the High Street, provide a wider range of shops and that smaller housing was needed in the area.

Nicholas Handley Jones said: “This will provide a further welcome boost to the regeneration of the High Street. Provide the opportunity for more and more diverse shops to be established.”