The building dubbed Triffids House is to be cleaned up.

The eyesore in Biggin Street, which has weeds growing inside, now has planning permission for seven flats and a new shop front.

The Dover property has become the most notorious symbol of the decay of the precinct in the face of fierce competition arriving in weeks.

This is from the giant £53 million St James’ retail and development, which opens completely this spring.

The building gained its nickname because of the vines and weeds creeping inside windows.

The applicant, Mr Sherali Lakhani, took ownership of the four-storey property, a former hotel at 50-51 Biggin Street, last January.

Dover District Council's planning committee voted six to three to grant permission.

Objectors, including four neighbours, said the flats were too small and poor quality.

Two fell just short of the council flat conversion size requirements. But two far exceeded the demand by 23 and 23.5 sq m.

The scheme is for two two-bedroomed flats, four one-bedroomed ones and one studio, in all for 13 people.

Dover Town Council is against the scheme saying the density of the flats was too high even with a revised application reducing the number from nine. It wanted six.

Town councillor Miriam Wood told the committee: “We believe in a high standard and Dover deserves and needs better than this.

“Two flats are below the district council standard. There would be 13 occupants. Consider the serious fire risk.”

The town council added that there was not enough storage space for bicycles and bins.

The Dover Society civic group said the storage of rubbish could lead to bags on the pavement being torn open by seagulls.

But Cllr Pauline Beresford said: “Our high street needs to be developed.

“We need commerce and housing side by side and this application is reduced from nine to seven flats. The area is also in the footfall for St James.”

Planning officers had recommended permission.

They said the scheme would help the local economy and the new shop front would improve the appearance and quality of the building.

The officers accepted that the flats were small but that was outweighed by the benefit brought by this proposal.

The promise to clear up Triffids House comes after we reported last week that the council would get tough on owners of scruffy buildings housing precinct shops.

It is part of a venture that will see Market Square, Cannon Street and Biggin Street dubbed Old Town.

The district council will impose section 215 orders forcing the owners to spruce up the exterior of buildings if they are spoiling the surroundings.

Nearly £500,00 is earmarked to revamp the area.

This consists of £80,000 for regeneration, £300,000 for town centre improvements and £100,000 for enhancements at Market Square.

DDC’s cabinet agreed to work with Dover Town team to resubmit a fresh bid to the Coastal Communities Fund for a grant to provide a new look Market Square with a walk-in fountain like in Folkestone’s harbour.

Other things to remind shoppers of the Old Town’s existence include new signs directing them from St James to Biggin Street.

A business rate relief scheme is also in the planning to entice traders to open up shops in the vacant properties.