An historic building could be demolished to make way for a bus lane network but opponents want to see it refurbished and brought back into community use.

The old Foundry Workshop in Grove Road, Northfleet, would be flattened under plans to widen the road and realign it to then expand a Fastrack bus route.

But the plans, put forward by Bellway Homes on the land owned by Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, have been opposed by some people, who would like to see the historical community asset refurbished and used again by those who live near it.

Fastrack is a bus network across Kent Thameside, including Dartford, Bluewater, Ebbsfleet and Gravesend, with much of it using dedicated bus lanes.

Cllr Conrad Broadley, who represents Northfleet and Gravesend on Kent County Council, said: “Personally, I’d rather see this historic community asset used by Scouts or some other community organisation rather than be demolished.”

A musician has also expressed interest in using it as an arts centre.

He said: “I fully appreciate how something like this will benefit the local creative community and I’d be very interested in getting something like that up and running.”

Cllr Broadley added: “Arts and heritage fit very well together and this would be a great studio.

“But we need to stop it being demolished first.”

In the application from Bellway Homes, Grove Road is described as “in extremely poor condition, with potholes and uneven surfaces”.

Suggested improvement work includes “the widening of the existing highway to facilitate two-way access for buses and occasionally HGVs” and “resurfacing of the road and the addition of road markings”.

But Cllr Broadley disputes the need for wider access for the buses.

He said: “This road has dozens of 40ft articulated lorries using it every day so it is certainly wide enough for a bus.”

Another resident suggested the building would be better used as a youth centre to replace those in the area which have been closed down recently.

Julia Hudson said: “I would have thought that in order for Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (EDC) to build in the area, they would need to ensure some community areas were included in the plan.

“This would make an excellent space for young people who have had their centres defunded by Kent County Council, something similar to The Grand Gravesend.”

Objections submitted against the proposal feel that demolition is not required.

One said: “It will mean destruction of more of the area’s heritage. It is just an excuse for more development in the future that, despite what they promise, will mean the destruction of the area’s history.”

Another added: “We have destroyed enough historical buildings. I cannot see how demolishing this building serves any purpose to Fasttrack .

“The building should be put to good use for the local community.”

The proposal forms part of plans approved in 2018 for a mixed-use development of up to 532 homes with the first phase of 121 homes at Harbour Village approved in January 2022.

The application for the bus route along Grove Road is part of a wider Fastrack route which runs through the Northfleet site.

A spokeswoman for EDC said: “Bellway has submitted an application for various highways improvements, including the demolition of the Foundry Workshop, as part of their obligation to support the extension of the Fastrack network alongside the development of Harbour Village.

“The ambition for the Grove Road area remains focused on improving green spaces, transport links and providing commercial space for the area and to support local businesses.”

A spokesman for Bellway said: “The planned works at Grove Road in Northfleet are part of the wider planning consent for the Harbour Village development as granted by Ebbsfleet Development Corporation.

“Harbour Village will deliver benefits to the whole community while making a large section of the riverside accessible to local residents and contributing £3 million towards infrastructure for Ebbsfleet.

“The bus route is an intrinsic part of the masterplan for the area to deliver an extension to the Fastrack Bus Route, as part of our close working relationship with Ebbsfleet Development Corporation to design an inclusive and sustainable development, which includes ecological enhancements, sustainable drainage, new parkland, a heritage park, sports facilities, and electric vehicle charging points.”

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“Any concerns or objections relating to the potential demolition of the Foundry Workshop will be dealt with via the planning process with responses sought from relevant organisations before determining the outcome of the application.”