Residents are divided over a bid to turn an "ugly" but "well-used" town centre building into shops and flats.

Plans have been revealed to turn The Original Factory Shop in Deal into five separate stores and build 17 apartments above it.

The application is for 74-80 High Street, as well as a boarded-up shop frontage at the back of the building at 76 Middle Street. It will see two-storey extensions built at certain points as well as new shop fronts, access doors and additional windows.

It is proposed that the space that currently houses the discount department chain, which sells a variety of fashion, homewares, toys and personal care products, will be divided up into four shops. They will look out onto the High Street and into the adjoining Market Street, with the fifth store opening to the rear of the building in Middle Street.

A spokesman for The Original Factory Shop said the planning application had been submitted "despite ongoing conversations with the landlord".

They added: "We will continue to defend our legal right to renew the existing lease and hope that the landlord is able to reach agreement as to the renewal terms.

"Whilst we do so, we will continue to explore all possible options."

The scheme has divided opinion, with some residents welcoming news that the "ugly" department store would be replaced under the new plans.

In a comment on the application, Matt Hedges said the current shop front looked "tired" and "unkempt".

"This would be such a positive development for the area, getting rid of an ugly store – and there are many [others] already offering the same stuff," he added.

"I hope this is the start of the things to come and the old snooker hall undergoes similar [work] soon too."

Plans to demolish the 19th century Royal Lesiure Centre and Snooker Hall were re-submitted in October after planning permission ran out, with the new application still awaiting a decision.

Andrew Kuyk added: "I think that this development will be a great addition to the Deal High Street. At present, the store at this location is pretty ugly and the proposed development returns the store fronts to a more traditionally attractive look.

"It'll be a shame to lose it, and I think the plans for the flats are too over-cramped..."

"The proposed residential development will bring more people to the centre of town and they can support the local businesses."

However, others insisted that the shop was "well-used" and would be a "massive loss" to the town if it were to close.

Kathleen Rea said that she "absolutely loves" the discount store.

"It has such lovely stuff and a great range of products, and is one of the few great shops around," she explained.

"It'll be a shame to lose it, and I think the plans for the flats are too over-cramped which can be a fire and safety risk."

"The proposed development will bring forward a considerable number of public and wider benefits..."

A number of residents have also expressed concerns about the impact of the flats to the town centre, with many highlighting the lack of parking for the new homes – which will be comprised of four one-bed and 13 two-bed flats.

An excerpt from the plans acknowledges there is "no opportunity" to provide off-street car parking, 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.

"However, in order to encourage cycling, two, dedicated cycle stores are incorporated into the proposals," the developers add.

"These stores will provide a total of 42 cycle spaces, which will ensure there are adequate facilities for as many persons as possible to be able to store their cycles safely and securely, of between two and three cycles per unit, within a covered environment, and which will hopefully encourage their use."

Planning documents from the developer also state: "The proposed development will bring forward a considerable number of public and wider benefits."

These are listed as the creation of "smaller, and more appropriately sized, retail and commercial units", effective use of an "under-utilised, brownfield site", which will contribute to the "vitality and viability of the centre" and the offering of new housing.

The application is currently inviting comments and will be decided by Dover District Council.