Those against plans to transform former amusements into flats have expressed their regret that the building could not be used for the community instead.

Residents of Deal say tearing down the Royal Leisure Centre and Snooker Club will mean a "vital link" to the town's past will be lost.

Rather than the proposal to build new homes and three shops in its place, members of Deal Society say it's a shame it can't be used as a "community cinema" or similar.

It comes as planners behind the scheme were forced to reapply for planning permission to re-develop the site after their 2019 application expired.

As such, a fresh application has been submitted to Dover District Council to overhaul the site in Kings Street.

The building was previously home to an amusement arcade and snooker hall, which both proved to be financially unsustainable.

The owners are seeking permission to demolish it to make way for 16 apartments with three retail units below them.

But Deal Town Council has expressed its opposition to the proposals as they stand.

Its response to the planning application states it believes the plans feature a "design of building not appropriate within the conservation area".

Although the exterior of the building is not of particular architectural merit, the interior is said to be of heritage value and both the town council and Deal Society call for it to be documented in photographs.

In its comment on the plans, the Society said: "The Deal Society strongly endorses the view expressed in the previous conditions that a photographic record be made of the interior of the building because of its heritage value.

"The Society takes the view that the exterior of the building has no great architectural merit but the interior does.

"The Society regrets that it has not been possible to explore a future use of the building as a community cinema."

Owners MW Amusements Ltd hope once planning permission is gained they will be able to sell the plot on to a developer who would take forward the building project.

And views on the plans have been split, with 43 of 72 public comments expressing support for the redevelopment of what has become something of an eyesore in the town centre.

Deal resident Tim Wright describes the application as "an ideal opportunity to demolish an old redundant and non-value adding structure [and] replace it with a new modern worthwhile building.

"It would provide business premises and accommodation and security to those keen to move to Deal," he added.

But an opponent of the scheme, Brendon Harvey, said: "This is a historic building relating to Deal's once numerous cinema and theatre provision.

"Now that provision is extinct, with the other remaining building, the Art Deco Regent, also subject to ruinous decay.

"By allowing this building to be demolished another vital link to Deal's past will be lost.

"It's the the presence of such buildings along the High Street and surroundings of Middle Street that attracts visitors and new residents alike.

"Remove these and Deal becomes an anodyne town like many others. DDC should be preserving its uniqueness not allowing it to be destroyed.

"Piecemeal infill of new development in a historic quarter of the town is not the way forward."