The sale of a former adult education centre to raise more than £400,000 for a cash-strapped council has come under fire.

The building in St Faith's Street, Maidstone will go under the hammer later this month.

But the Green Party has reacted angrily to news that Kent County Council (KCC) is selling the property.

It is part of KCC's strategy to realise funds through the disposal of assets in the face of a huge shortfall in funding from central government which threatens its existence.

The Greens are now pushing for the space to be developed into an arts hub.

Cllr Derek Eagle said: “I'm furious that KCC are putting the former adult education centre on the open market particularly when Maidstone Borough Council is looking for a place to set up an arts hub.

“KCC’s failures should not be allowed to ride roughshod over our town. This building may be just what Maidstone needs and we have the drive to bring it back into use.

“We have asked Maidstone council’s officers to look into this and to see if there is any way of ensuring that the building comes to us for the public’s benefit.”

KCC deputy cabinet member for finance, Cllr Harry Rayner said: "We have to look at KCC as a whole and all its assets particularly those which are currently redundant in order to keep the enterprise afloat.

"We are determined to find value for money for the Kent tax-payer. Where buildings become redundant, their sale relieves the council of a maintenance burden and creates revenue we desperately need."

The property is now being sold by local auctioneers Clive Emson.

The property details state: "A substantial two-storey, plus basement, property which is believed to have originally been known as Maidstone Municipal School of Science and Art.

"More recently used as an adult education centre and is now vacant. There is also a separate pottery studio at the rear.

"The building is located in the heart of Maidstone, close to various amenities and opposite St Faiths Street entrance to the Fremlin Walk shopping centre. The mainline railway station is also within close proximity.

"The entire property is considered to offer potential for a variety of commercial uses or conversion into apartments, subject to all necessary consents being obtainable."

Maidstone borough councillor David Naghi said: "It's been empty for quite a while. I hear what the Greens are saying but I can't see where the money would come from to buy it and do it up."

The Green Party's attempts to have Maidstone council acquire the site for a potential arts hub site was rejected by councillors last week (March 5).

Party spokesman cllr Stuart Jeffery said: "We might have lost but we will press on."

The vacant adult education centre will go on sale next Wednesday (March 20).