Ambitious details have been revealed about a new multi-million pound Creative Centre destined for Dover.

The £5 million proposed three-storey building is to be created in Bench Street, as part of a wider regeneration of the area.

It will take over a section of the street’s council car park and house a cafe, gallery and studio space, and be known as The Bench.

The hope is for it to host exhibitions, functions, meetings, and presentations.

Documents from developers Dover District Council reveal: “The Creative Centre proposes to transform a portion of an existing car park into a high‐quality arts and culture centre.

“A newly designed building will allow for optimum use of space with flexible design concepts and circulation creating a space that is fit for purpose.

“Dover has been identified as a priority place by the Arts Council under their Let’s Create Strategy.

“One of 54 places across England in which Arts Council investment and engagement is low and opportunity to effectively increase investment and engagement is high.

“This project will provide opportunities to further develop the Creative Sector within our district in accordance with the Arts Council strategy.”

The council also reveals “several organisations have informally expressed a desire to manage the space”.

These bids will be reviewed as the project progresses.

The scheme is hoped to be completed by spring 2024, and all of the Bench Street car park will have to be closed during construction.

Details were revealed to the public at a consultation held at St Mary’s Parish Centre, in Cannon Street, on Tuesday.

There is also a short survey for residents to share their views, which can be found online until March 31 at dover.gov.uk.

After consultation feedback the design will be finalised.

The council explains it is trying to enhance Dover’s cultural and creative offer and better connect the high street and waterfront.

This is at the heart of its successful £3.2m bid to the government’s Future High Streets Fund. In addition, £1.7m is coming from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

DDC has also bought five properties on the small street to go ahead with the area’s redevelopment - which is being aided by £18 million levelling-up cash.

The properties now taken over include 8 Bench Street, a former café, and 10, the site of the former Crypt restaurant, where a fire killed seven people 46 years ago.

The others are 11, where the Banksy mural was, 14, which had the Funky Monkey nightclub, and 15, which was once a post office.

As well as the Creative Centre, new homes are planned as part of Bench Street's overhaul.