A £1.25 million transformation of a town centre square has been branded a waste of money - with some saying the project has just seen “cobbles replaced with cobbles”.

Work on the costly redevelopment, which went £250,000 over budget, started in Sandwich in September 2022 – four years after the scheme was first proposed.

The development of Guildhall Square has included highways improvements and resurfacing, along with the installation of new features such as improved seating, tree planting and lighting.

Dover District Council (DDC), which was behind the scheme in partnership with Kent County Council (KCC), says the “project will be the focal point for the local community and positively enhance the public realm, creating better access and the potential for increased footfall”.

But with work now complete, it has divided opinion among residents, with some questioning its value and safety, while others are impressed with the new look and have compared it to a “piazza”.

Sandwich resident Lorraine Smith says it is a “real shame Sandwich has spent a lot of money on replacing cobbles with cobbles”.

She added: “The bus shelter has also been changed to one that people cannot really sit on.

“It seems to have gone hideously over budget, taken a lot of time, and what was promised to the residents of the town has not actually materialised.”

Ms Smith also feels a second consultation should have been carried out to gauge the public’s reaction to the scheme given the delays to it getting underway.

She explained: “There was a public consultation in 2018, however, people change, demographics change and priorities change.

“We have had a worldwide pandemic and everybody’s priorities have changed, yet the money was still spent without a new consultation.”

Victoria Cleary-Ford, who also lives in Sandwich, believes the renovated space has not added any value to the area.

She said: “They are just brighter, greyer-looking cobbles, so what is the improvement?

“There is no added value to this and there are other things in the town we desperately need.

“We have got more houses being built and we just do not have the facilities.

“People who live in Sandwich are visiting Deal’s foodbank and you are telling me this is a priority for our council to spend money on?

“It is not really bringing anything to Sandwich. I do not see any tourists flocking here, so what is the added value?”

Ms Cleary-Ford also has concerns over the position of the bus stop, which has moved further along New Street, and closer to the junction with Cattle Market.

“My biggest concern is the moved bus stop is now an accident waiting to happen,” she said.

“I was walking my dog the other day and nearly got knocked over because it is a blind corner. It is just dangerous.”

Concerns about the bus stop were also raised in February this year, before the project was completed.

At the time, residents branded it "extremely dangerous" and in "completely the wrong place".

It comes as the pull-in previously used by buses was tarmacked over and moved onto the carriageway, as well as further up the road.

Bosses say the new position was designed to ease congestion - but some say it has done the opposite.

Fellow Sandwich resident Roy Elliot also questions the position of the new bus stop.

“It is badly thought out and dangerous,” he said. “They have been put in the wrong position.

“When there is a bus, a queue of people, and people trying to get past and across the road, it is dangerous and just does not make sense.

“It is ridiculous and a disgrace really. Did anybody think it out?”

But despite the concerns, some residents have backed the new look of Guildhall Square, with shopper Claire Goodall comparing it to a “piazza”.

“I like the open feel and think it lends itself to being able to walk freely around,” she said.

“Now seeing the open space, it feels like a piazza. I am impressed with it – I was doubtful.

“I am not sure it was worth the money; I am 50/50 on it because I am not entirely convinced that residents and [Sandwich town] council had much say on what went on.

“I do not think Dover District Council is visible enough here to really see what we need.”

Ms Goodall also says a lot changed during the pandemic so a second public consultation should have been done.

“During the pandemic, a lot of people came away from newsprint and went online and they became much more aware of national and local news,” she said.

“During Covid, I really observed an uplift in the number of people commenting on local things.

“I am not sure it would have gone any other way, but some residents may have felt more listened to.”

Resident David May says he feels safer walking over the new cobbles.

“I really like it and I think it was worth the money,” he said,

“I have trouble with my feet and it is a lot easier to walk on now.

“The added trees are great, but I do think more seating is needed.”

Meanwhile, stallholders at the Thursday morning market say they are happy to be back on the forecourt after having to pitch up in the car park while the work was completed.

Sally Pitcher, who runs Hunger Buster Bakes, said: “We spent some time in the car park which was fine but it was a little bit bleak.

“It is wonderful to be back on the square. Everything looks so nice.

“This is where the market should be and I hope it gets bigger and people do come and support it because it is a case of use it or lose it.

“I personally think it looks great.”

Tracy Hadley-Lawrence has run her plant stall at the market for almost 12 years and says the space now feels more open.

“It is much brighter and open,” she said.

“There should be more stalls soon so we will hopefully get more footfall which is what we need. It should be more buzzing then.

“I personally think the cobbles are too light but I am a history buff so I liked the darker cobbles, but that is just my personal opinion. It does brighten it up a bit.

“I think it could have been done a bit cheaper but I do not know as I am not a builder.”

Contributions to the transformation of Guildhall Square included £400,000 from DDC, £350,000 from Sandwich Town Council via a public works loan, an R&A Open Legacy contribution of £75,000, £25,000 from Discovery Park, plus a KCC highway contribution.

A spokesman for DDC confirmed the total cost of the project increased to £1.25m, from the estimated £1 million.

A statement said: “The work has created a larger, more accessible and more flexible public space, and the area has already been used for a number of fantastic events in Sandwich.

“We have continued to work with Sandwich Town Council and the local community to keep them informed of the project.

“This has included a drop-in session and leaflets in the town, and information through the DDC website, Keep Me Posted email updates, press releases and newsletters.

“The project was promoted by Sandwich Town Team as part of the Vision for Sandwich.

“The design for the highways work around the bus stop was undertaken by the highway authority, KCC, and has been the subject of a safety audit to ensure the design meets highways safety standards.”