Plans have emerged to inject some “TLC” into part of an “underutilised” popular country park.

Faversham Town Council (FTC) has submitted an expression of interest to take over and reinvigorate the visitors’ centre and museum at Oare Gunpowder Works, which has seen a decline in its opening hours in recent years.

The council’s policy and resources committee voted this month to submit their expression of interest to current-operator Swale Borough Council (SBC) about taking over the facilities.

The visitors’ centre serves as a means of providing information to customers and hosts a museum, and is run by volunteers.

FTC’s Cllr Josh Rowlands (Lib Dem), mayor of Faversham, said: “For about two years now SBC have asked for expressions of interest for the visitors’ centre site. What it’s looking for is for an organisation or group to take over the site and keep it open a bit more.

“I’m highly supportive of it; the Oare Gunpowder Works is a really important asset for Faversham and it’s something that’s underutilised.

“Hopefully in the near future it can be used for the benefit of the community. It’s a beautiful area and hopefully it can get some TLC.”

The land originally hosted a gunpowder production facility from the late 16th century until its closure in 1934. It officially became a country park in 2005.

Cllr Peter Cook (Lib Dem), FTC member, also backs the moves to take it over.

He said: “Faversham needs visitors and visitors need things to see and do. Principally we’re looking at the visitor centre but it has to go beyond that. FTC needs to see basically what can be done to enhance the potential and the heritage of Faversham.

“We’re grateful to those who give their time to try and do things with these places and the volunteers up there have done a lot but it's not enough.”

An SBC spokesperson explained the authority leases the visitors’ centre site, and it is open on “weekends and Bank Holidays throughout most of the year, March through to November, which reflects the park’s busiest times”.

The country park itself, located north of Bysing Wood Road, is open to the public year-round and is free to enter.

Harold Goodwin, vice-chairman of The Faversham Society, is keen to see the takeover happen.

He said: “The Oare Gunpowder Works museum is really important to its history and it’s really important that the town council takes ownership of that premises so that it can be kept open for future generations to understand the history of the town.

“I would hope very much that we get back to a situation where that museum and visitors’ centre is open every weekend as a minimum.”

FTC voted to submit an expression of interest in taking over and running the centre to SBC, but it is not yet guaranteed they will, or known how much money it may involve.

A spokesperson for SBC said: “We welcome FTC’s interest in the site and are working to take the request forward.

“Expressions of interest have been requested twice over the last two years, but previously there has been little interest from other parties.

“We will continue to protect and promote this important Swale asset, showcasing Faversham’s gunpowder heritage and natural beauty.”