A bid has been launched to demolish a dilapidated arcade, as developers hope to stop it being targeted by yobs and fly-tippers.

The old Neptune’s Amusements in Central Parade, Herne Bay, is said to have suffered break-ins on a monthly basis over the last two years.

And the owner of the site, Canterbury-based Mile Property Group, has unveiled plans this week to completely flatten the unsightly structure, which has sat empty for years.

Director Michael Keckes told KentOnline: “We’re getting quite a lot of calls from the police about people getting on the site and setting fires there. A couple of times the fire brigade has been called.

“To the rear, we get loads of kids coming in. We’ve spent quite a lot of money reinstating the fencing to the back and front, but they always seem to find a way in.

“There’s also piles and piles of stuff – mattresses, furniture, tyres – to the back, and we want to get it cleared.

“It’s become a danger and the only way to contain it is to clear it completely. It’s just a bit of a mess.”

Mr Keckes says once the building is pulled down, his firm will work to make the plot ready for an outdoor food vendor to move onto.

He believes the site could be transformed into something akin to A La Turka’s new seating area on the corner of Central Parade and Market Street, which had long been home to a derelict building.

“It’ll look much nicer for someone visiting that part of Herne Bay, plus it could be useful for a local food and drink business,” Mr Keckes added.

“It’s quite a valuable space, especially during the summer when it gets busy.”

Two years ago Mr Keckes unveiled proposals to tear down the eyesore amusements in order to replace the building with high-end flats and ground-floor shops.

But the scheme has been heavily delayed following the discovery of high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous at the Stodmarsh nature reserve near Canterbury.

The developer hoped the addition of a sewage treatment facility beneath the new block would help him overcome the issue, which has halted major projects across the district.

But his multi-million-pound vision for the seafront site has still not been given the green light by the city council.

“We’re still waiting for a decision, and this could go on for another year or longer,” Mr Keckes continued.

“We’re behind schedule; we probably would have been halfway through construction by now.

“It’s disappointing and frustrating when you look at the site now because we wanted to provide something nice for the area.”