A scheme to turn a fire-ravaged church building into flats has been passed.

Planning councillors gave permission for the redevelopment of the former St Columba United Reformed Church building in Dover High Street.

It had been burned to a shell 12 years ago and has been derelict ever since.

This application is to put in 16 apartments, seven two bedroomed and nine one bedroomed.

This new scheme would use the original volume of the building but push up the original three storeys to five.

Six letters of objections from neighbours were received by Dover District Council.

The writers complain that no on-site parking is provided, that there are too many flats and that the higher new building would overlook neighbouring properties.

But Kent Highways were not against the scheme, saying parking restrictions are in place in neighbouring streets.

They also say that the area is well served by buses and trains and public car parks are nearby.

The development does have storage space for 18 bicycles.

Planning officers had recommended approval and the application was passed at a district planning meeting last Thursday.

Their report said: "By bringing the disused building back into use, which is currently in disrepair, the development would provide significant visual enhancement of the townscape.

"There is clear benefit in regenerating the site and tidying up what is currently a significant detractor of the character of the area."

The church originally opened in1904 and became United Reformed in 1972

It closed in 2003 and work to turn the building into flats began in 2006.

But it was destroyed by fire on September 22, 2007. The blaze ravaged the rear of the building, destroying the roof and damaging all floors.

The building was sold at auction for £178,000 in June 2015.

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