Residents have welcomed plans to replace an empty motorbike shop with four retail units - but have raised concerns over the 11 homes that could come with it.

The former Hutchings Motorcycles spot in Deal is at the centre of proposals to redevelop part of South Street and Middle Street.

Businessman Mark Woolls, who runs Pier View Amusements in Deal and Dymchurch Amusement Park on Romney Marsh, is behind the scheme after buying the land about two years ago.

The 62-year-old, who was born in Deal, says he has “carefully designed” the project in the hope of enhancing the Middle Street conservation area and bringing the street back to life.

Documents submitted to Dover District Council (DDC) by Kirby Cove Architects, on behalf of Mr Woolls, show the former bike shop and adjacent unit currently used by The Taphouse will be knocked down to make way for the development.

Four shops will be created on the ground floor, and two floors will be added to include six flats.

One of the new shops will be purpose-built and reserved for The Taphouse to move into so the business can continue as usual.

It is not clear who will move into the other three units, but Mr Woolls hopes to “attract the arts” to that part of town.

A three-storey building attached to Hutchings, which currently has two flats inside, will also be knocked down as part of the redesign.

Five townhouses have also been included in the plans along with two courtyard areas, and cycle and bin stores.

News of the development has been broadly welcomed by residents who are keen to see new shops open.

But some have raised concerns over the flats and fear they will be snapped up by people from London.

Walmer resident Hannah English, 35, said: “I don't think building up is a good idea, especially with some of the older buildings around here and it is a conservation area.

“The retail units make sense because it always used to be retail space and it's a busy area.

“They are not going to be very large flats if they want to build that many.

“This is a very busy street at the weekend so I can't imagine it's going to be particularly quiet or family-friendly.”

Stanhope Road resident William Grant, 79, has welcomed the plans, saying: “I'm a local and I have lived here a long time and I don't mind the idea of it.

“With inflation, nobody has got enough money for rent so if they want to have retail shops, they are taking a chance but I personally think good luck to them.

“I think most people in Deal will be relaxed about it.”

Julie Cooper, 57, said: “I can't say I'm too worried about it but I do think about who is going to end up with the flats?

“It's not just in Deal, but in Cornwall and Devon, all the Londoners have bought up properties so all the young people locally can't get their foot on the ladder.

“I have no objections, but if they could use them to rehouse people locally that would be better.

“The shops are a good idea, anything that will bring people to the town is good. We need some more men's clothing shops, not just more coffee shops.“

Speaking to KentOnline, Mr Woolls says he believes the scheme will bring huge benefits to Deal and is investing in the hope of creating job opportunities.

“My family have been residents in Deal for more than 70 years and I have worked for the family enterprises for more than 50 years,” he said.

“During this entire time, we have invested significantly in the town centre and seafront in particular, by establishing and developing sustainable businesses.

“Added to this we have always held dear, long-standing values to create employment for the community across all age groups and will always continue to do so.

“As a family we always look to ensure and identify opportunities to help Deal continue to adapt, stay dynamic, build the momentum of its ever-growing popularity and contribute to boost the local economy. We have identified the great potential of enhancing this particular location of Middle Street and South Street, with this latest development plan.

“The aims of this project are to greatly benefit Deal in terms of additional town residential choice and to increase and expand on existing and new commercial opportunities.”

Mr Woolls says his scheme will “expand the ever-increasing appeal that Deal continually has to offer”.

“The combined residential and retail development comprises townhouses and apartments,” he added.

“Generally, the entire development will greatly enhance this particular area of Middle Street and South Street as a place to live and for businesses.

“We remain fully committed to play a key role in continually helping develop Deal's local economy in all ways that we can and this exciting project reflects exactly that.

“We are convinced that this development will deliver hugely positive results in helping drive Deal forward both in terms of additional, attractive and appealing residential town centre living and provide more commercial opportunities and with that creating employment.”

The homes will not come with any parking spaces as the whole development will be ‘car-free’, something Mr Woolls says will not be a problem due to its proximity to public transport.

He added: “Because the homes are in the high street, it's a good location because the bus station is outside, the train station is down the road. The seafront is on their doorstep.

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“When we created the plans we were careful to bear in mind we are in a conservation area so we have designed it to be in keeping with the area.

“The shops will look like they should be there which will revitalise the area and make South Street up and coming again.

“Deal is very popular but some parts have been left to ruin so this will enhance that part of the town.”

In 2020, similar proposals were put forward by the former owner of Hutchings Motorcycles.

Peter Hutchings, who ran the business for 40 years, had hoped to turn the site into two self-contained flats, one maisonette with two retail units.

Plans were approved but were never brought forward, and the store shut last year.