Villagers are concerned plans to turn the ground floor of a former flower shop into a bedsit will be “detrimental” to the area.

If approved, the empty unit in The Bay, Vigo, Gravesend, would be converted into a single apartment.

It was last occupied by Krystle Flower Design and in 2014 planning permission was approved to turn the ground floor into a dental surgery – however, this was never implemented.

A flat would be located on the ground floor and have one room. There are existing apartments on the two floors above.

Vigo Parish Council (VPC) has objected to the application for multiple reasons.

In its objection letter, the council wrote: “We are concerned that any change of use to this unit would set a precedent which could culminate in further retail units being subject to a change of use.”

VPC also noted that seven out of eight of the units are currently used for commercial retail purposes – including Vigo Pharmacy and The Vigo Grill.

The council said a number of people have been in touch with them to raise their concerns.

It claimed a ground floor property would not be in keeping with the area and would be “detrimental” to the street scene.

The application was made on July 21 and is pending consideration. Proposals can be viewed here.

It has been claimed by the parish council that Gravesham Borough Council (GBC) did not directly consult with them on the application.

A spokesman said: “Unlike the houses in Vigo, the shops and flats in The Bay are not restrictive covenants.

“The freehold on the shops and flats are privately owned by a company who employ a management agent to manage the properties on their behalf.

“It appears that the application has been made by an agent acting on behalf of the freeholder. The application has not been made by the management agent, nor the leaseholder.”

VPC is encouraging residents to comment on the application.

It continued: “The parish council has tried to actively support the shops in the past and will continue to do so. For example, we have spoken to all the shopkeepers and offered financial assistance to improve the exterior appearance of the shops.

“The Parish Council would actively encourage all residents to continue to use the shops as often as possible, they really do need your support...”

“We have also acted as liason between the shopkeepers and the management agent.

“We would actively encourage all residents to continue to use the shops as often as possible, they really do need your support.”

A spokesman for Gravesham Borough Council said the change of use of this particular unit is known as a prior approval application, sometimes referred to as “permitted developments”.

This means prior approval applications can only be assessed on specific matters identified within the General Permitted Development Order 2015.

Due to this, there is no requirement to undertake consultations.

Until a prior approval application is determined, anyone who wishes to comment can – but they would need to focus on just those considerations that can be assessed as set out in the General Permitted Development Order 2015.

The spokesman explained that for prior approval applications like these, the council consults with direct neighbours and puts up a site notice which was done.