A dad says he has no plans to remove an illuminated sign of his late son from a town centre building - despite a council refusing permission.

William Brown is converting Queens House in Folkestone into 32 flats in memory of his seven-year-old son, William Brown Jr, who died after being hit by a van on Sandgate Esplanade in December 2023.

But Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) has now turned down his bid for a large image of William Jr on the front of the ex-office block, arguing it is harmful to the character and appearance of the building, the wider street scene and the setting of the nearby listed building.

Mr Brown, however, insists the sign, which also displays the name ‘Master William’s Place’, is staying put while he appeals the rejection.

He installed the piece last month - before FHDC had made a decision - and says he is “shocked” by the authority’s move.

“I feel the council should be getting on with more important matters than this sign,” he said.

“If you look around, there are so many lit-up signs that haven’t had planning consent.

“And then you’ve got the old Jobcentre building, which is basically a pigeon infestation - but they don’t seem to care about that.”

Mr Brown says he has spent £7,000 on the sign, which is on the corner of Guildhall Street and Sandgate Road, above Bonmarché.

Last month, Folkestone Town Council objected to the image of William Jr being included, stating it “doesn’t strike the civic tone needed”.

Despite this, Mr Brown pushed ahead with the installation, believing the sign is not only a fitting tribute to his son but also an enhancement to the town centre.

“The sign looks fantastic,” he said.

“It’s sharp, smart, and built with high-quality materials.

“I’ve spent a lot of money on this because I want to honour my son.

“Anyone who understands grief would understand what I’m doing.”

He insists the sign complies with previous discussions with planners, saying it meets the council’s requested lighting specifications and is designed to be “halo-lit” rather than glaringly bright.

But in the officer's report detailing why the proposal has been refused, FHDC states the illumination amounts to a “prominent and obtrusive” structure.

Mr Brown said: “A lot of people have been saying it’s this massive, bright, illuminated sign, but it’s not.

“It’s a mood-lit sign. It will be turned off at 10pm every night, in line with town regulations.”

The redevelopment of Queen’s House has been a personal mission for Mr Brown.

The building had stood derelict for more than a year, with unsightly pink boarding previously covering its facade.

He argues his work has significantly improved the area, and the sign is just one part of that transformation.

“The planning rules state developments near listed buildings should ‘enhance or preserve’ the area,” he said.

“If you look at the before and after, I’ve definitely enhanced that building.

“It was a pigeon hotel – now it’s a high-end, classy-looking block.”

The sign was illuminated for the first time last Friday.

Mr Brown says he will continue to light it up every evening while awaiting the outcome of his appeal.

“I believe I have the right to keep it up while the appeal is pending,” he said.

“And in the meantime, I just hope the council starts prioritising bigger issues in the town centre.

Mr Brown, who owns a dessert parlour in his son’s memory in a shop below Queens House, says he will continue to fight for the sign to remain.

“This sign represents people coming together,” he added.

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“But the council doesn’t seem to care about that.

“Where’s the soul? We’re people at the end of the day, and unique things like this should be allowed.”

A spokesman for FHDC said the authority “understands the sentiment” behind the application but raised concerns over the impact of the sign.

“We are legally obliged to reach a decision solely based on the impact of the signs on amenity and public safety,” they said.

“It was determined based on the design, scale, materials and means of illumination of the signs, which are considered to harm the visual amenity of the area and the setting of both the nearby conservation area and listed building.

“It is unfortunate they were installed in advance of the application being determined.

“We note the applicant’s intention to submit an appeal and will await the outcome.”