A last-ditch push to stop a controversial five-storey budget hotel being built has been launched by conservationists, residents and the cathedral.

Proposals for the 83 bed building in Corporation Street in Rochester have already prompted a barrage of protest amid fears it would irreversibly blot the town's skyline, blocking historic landmarks.

And the mounting anger for the "concrete eyesore" has not died down - despite architects who were forced to go back to the drawing board for a redesign.

A petition is being drawn up and hundreds of people have lodged objections online in a bid to get Medway Council to reject the plan.

Leading campaigner Robert Tucker who lives in Restoration House in Crow Lane, has described it as the noisiest, dirtiest and busiest roads in Rochester and "to add a hotel with no parking was planning madness".

Mr Tucker, said: "The present view incorporates the cathedral, full length, the buildings of the High Street and the castle.

"The hotel would blight this view. It is our Constable of Salisbury Cathedral.

"The castle and cathedral are indisputably Rochester's greatest heritage assets. To block their visual amenity to others for the sake of a cheap hotel is ludicrous financially."

Simon Lace, the cathedral chapter clerk and executive director cathedral added that the structure was "out of character" with historic listed buildings along the High Street.

He said:" The proposed development fails to meet these requirements in view of its height which will obscure relatively recent key views of the cathedral from the elevated platform and rail level of the newly constructed Rochester Station.

The City of Rochester Society is concerned about the design and appearance which i says is more in-keeping with an out-of-town location. It also feels the lack of parking was an issue with car parks in the town already under pressure.

The hotel, built on a site of a former petrol station and car wash, would include shops and a cafe on the ground floor.