A planning application for the demolition of a chapel branded an 'eye sore' has been given the go-ahead.

St Joseph's RC Chapel in Borough Green became an unsightly building for the town after two previous applications for the re-development of it were rejected.

A decision was made yesterday to approve proposals to demolish the chapel, in Western Road, and build a new one with the same purpose.

Throughout the planning process, the environment agency, parish council Kent highways and KCC heritage conservation were consulted.

The parish council stated it fully supported the demolition as it would improve the street scene but asked whether the applicant would consider including a public right of way from Western Road through to the station.

The environment agency assessed the application as having no environmental risks.

Kent highways said that a lockable bollard or gate should be put in place to provide supervision of the parking area and a member of the heritage conservation group said they had no comment on the proposals.

"In this case, it is considered that the new Chapel building would not give rise to any overlooking or overshadowing impacts; instead the proposals would be sympathetic to the surrounding buildings" - TMBC planning officer...

The replacement Chapel, which would be located further north within the site is hoped to provide a significant visual improvement to the general street-scene.

It will have a new design, with large, glazed windows and a front landscaped garden area will be created along the Western Road frontage.

In the planning officers report submitted before application approval, it stated: "The building has been designed taking into account the constraints of surrounding premises and to ensure the new community building makes the best and most efficient use of the available space within the application site.

"In this case, it is considered that the new Chapel building would not give rise to any overlooking or overshadowing impacts; instead the proposals would be sympathetic to the surrounding buildings.

The design plan for the site aims to allow better access for disabled access and will reduce its impact on Western Road.

To proceed the chapel still needs to obtain formal permission and request funds from the Archdiocese of Southwark .

The planning permission has to now be approved by its committee on church buildings, if successful, then tenders for the job could be accepted.

It is expected that this process will take up to two months.