Plans to turn a former police station into five homes are set to be decided on this week.

An application will go before Dover District Council's planning committee on Thursday which aims to convert the building into three homes while adding two more on the site in Deal.

The company Arrested Developments, based in Menzies Road, Whitfield, wants three terraced dwellings in the main part of the building.

The existing one and two-storey extensions plus a garage would also be knocked down and two four-bedroomed semi-detached houses would then be built.

A total 17 letters of objections have been set to the council.

Those against the scheme say it would be an over-development, does not have enough parking, would lead to excess traffic and that the site, along London Road, is on a dangerous corner.

Neighbour Stuart Keir said in a comment on the council's planning portal: "I am concerned about the narrow access road and the increased traffic flow entering and leaving the site on a bend into the busy London Road."

Hazel Golding added: "There are too many houses on this very small plot with insufficient parking.

"The entrance is very tight and far too small for emergency vehicles. A fire engine would never get to the rear properties.

"The local roads are always busy and will make this very dangerous especially as the entrance is on a bend."

Deal Town Council is also against the application, also saying it is an over-development and has insufficient access for emergency services.

There were two letters from the public supporting the scheme, saying it was in keeping with the original building and more homes were needed.

Sharon Lewis said on the portal: "I am happy to see it provides a number of good family homes, of which Deal needs more."

Council planning officers have recommended permission for the development, saying there was a need for housing and the development would not badly affect the character and appearance of the area or the living conditions of neighbours.

The officers' report had said existing vehicular access to the site would be kept and there would be two spaces per home in off-street parking.

Deal Police Station building was constructed in 1889 and it was empty by January 2021 when Kent Police confirmed its sale.

At the time, the force said officers would work from Dover Police Station but keep a presence in Deal at a desk at the town council’s High Street office.

The planning committee meeting is from 6pm on Thursday, January 19, at the Dover District Council headquarters at the White Cliffs Business Park, Whitfield.