A new sailing club pavilion has been approved despite being compared to looking like a nearby public toilet block.

Councillors approved the redevelopment and extension of the building set aside for the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club in Dover.

An application was submitted by Dover Harbour Board on the club’s behalf - which has been granted a long-term lease to run the site.

Located next to the historic Grade II-listed clock tower at the Western Docks, the bid sought to convert and extend a building into a timber-clad clubhouse.

The planning committee of Dover District Council (DDC) unanimously agreed on the scheme at its meeting on Thursday (March 13).

But the proposals drew split opinions ahead of councillors meeting to discuss and decide on the plans.

Resident Ross Miller had earlier said in response to the application on DDC’s planning portal: “The proposed cladding matches the nearby modern toilet block rather than the other stone buildings of the same period.

“Overall this is a poor design that detracts from rather than complements the associated properties.”

There were 11 letters to the planning portal objecting to the scheme, including from the town’s civic group Dover Society, and 12 supporting it.

Those against said the design was not in keeping with the area’s historic buildings.

A letter from the Dover Society said: ”The proposed extension does not fit at all. It is completely out of place with the adjacent heritage structures and detracts from them, completely destroying the character of the site.

“If this timber-clad design is to be used at all it would be better sited next to the Marina Control building and toilet block.”

Those in favour said it was a good location for the yacht club adding it was a good design and consistent with future development.

Vicki Esson commented: “I cannot wait to have a new clubhouse nearer the marina. It will be great for the visitors, customers and staff.

John Foord said: “It is a welcome addition to the Marina Curve.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

The planning committee unanimously voted in favour of the scheme without even feeling the need to discuss it.

Cllr David Cronk (Lab) commented: “I cannot see a problem with it.”

Dover Harbour Board (DHB), the management team for the Port of Dover authority, submitted the application to DDC.

The existing building is currently unused and has been offered by DHB to the RCPYC on a long-term lease basis.

Dover Western Docks and its immediate seafront area have been transformed beyond recognition over the past few decades.

Changes particularly occurred since the hovercraft and catamaran services ended in the 2000s and were accelerated over the last decade by a massive redevelopment of the area.

This was through the £250 million Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) project, the Port of Dover’s single biggest investment.

That has included the opening of a new walkway, the Marina Pier in 2019, the Marina Curve, and Clock Tower Square in 2021.

DWDR ended last month with the infilling of Granville Dock with neighbouring waterways Tidal Basin and Wick Channel.

This is to make space for vehicles when they are checked when the new Entry/Exit System (EES) is launched, expected later this year.

The Clock Tower itself was originally built in the 1870s as Granville Dock was being created.