Plans for a £9.6 million redevelopment of Dover Town Hall have been announced.

Roger Walton, director of environment and corporate assets at Dover District Council told the scrutiny meeting on Tuesday that Maison Dieu House, a Grade II listed building, is a “liability not an asset”.

He said the council pays £200,000 per annum in maintaining the property but hopes to make money with a full redevelopment.

He said: “The building doesn’t function very efficiently, we’re constantly maintaining it and spending money on its upkeep with a building that isn’t serving its purpose in the modern world.”

A team of consultants was hired and told the council that the building has historical value if it can be refurbished.

The preferred option would see the catering facilities at the Stone Hall improved and the reception moved to the front of the building.

Connaught Hall would have a whole new entrance at street level for toilet facilities and green rooms. This would lead straight into what is now the basement and means the museum store will have to be moved.

The Mayor’s Parlour would become self-catering lets for visitors to Dover.

The consultants believe as a historical building, founded in 1203 and refurbished in 1853 by William Burges, that this would appeal to visitors.

The Visitor Information block would be converted into a cafe and have the potential for a commercial letting.

The council chamber and court would be refurbished to make them more accessible and the parking services block would become the new Visitor Information Centre.

The plans have already been supported by Dover Town Council and the Dover Society.

A working group will now formulate the finer details, decide how to present this to the wider public for consultation, and make a bid for Heritage Lottery funding.

The bid is expected to be made next year and the hope is that construction will start by 2018.