Plans for a £1.5 million revamp of a council office into a business hub will go ahead despite opposition from councillors.

Swale council's former district offices Masters House, built in the Victorian era, will undergo a major refurbishment by October.

Under the plans, the historic Trinity Road site in Sheerness will be turned into nine office suites, three conference spaces, a large function hall and a kitchen.

But the decision taken by Swale council's rainbow coalition cabinet of Labour, Swale Independents Alliance, Liberal Democrats and Independents in March was called-in by the authority's scrutiny committee.

Swale council cabinet member for economy Cllr Monique Bonney (Ind) said the ageing council-owned premises required "substantial investment" as she warned that water was falling through its ceiling.

Cllr Bonney said: "If we do nothing it will sit there and fall apart even more than it currently has. Our only option is to do something."

Swale council's administration says the enhancement will attract business investment, help the authority to reach net-zero carbon targets on its estate by 2025 and provide a new community space for Sheerness residents.

However, a row broke out during a heated three-hour meeting on Thursday.

Concerns were raised about the "untested" office market in Sheerness, with potentially low demand, while a separate £8m business hub and community centre is being built in the former Sheerness Dockyard Church at Blue Town.

Conservative councillors opposed the move due to the projected high costs, estimated to be £1.38m for the main building and £156,730 for creating three workshops and allocations for contingency funding, totalling £1.5m.

Cllr Mike Dendor (Con) described the scheme as "speculative" and not in the best interests of Sheerness residents. Scrutiny chair, Cllr Lloyd Bowen (Con), added: "I hope it does not turn into a white elephant for the council."

Meanwhile, Cllr Mike Whiting (Con) expressed his "dismay" at the project, saying: "It is a high amount of money for Swale ratepayers to pay."

However, the administration said similar schemes had "enjoyed success" in places such as Sittingbourne, including St George's Business Park, which has celebrated 20 years of trading and offers a mix of office and workshop space.

Also, the government has offered a grant of £301,900 in cash aid.

Swale Green Party member Cllr Alastair Gould warned that further delay to the project could "jeopardise" the revamp that he said is required.

Despite the disagreement, a majority of councillors agreed to progress with the proposal without any amendments, nine in favour and four against.

Alternative options were dismissed, including selling the building due to low resale value.

The scheme will now be put out to tender. Works are expected to start in June and should be completed by September 30 to qualify for the government cash.

The charitable trust which runs the Island's Oasis Academy secondary school offered to take it off the council's hands a year ago and invest £1m to bring it up to standard.

It had planned a community centre and affordable town centre accommodation for professionals such as teachers and health service staff. But Swale council and Sheerness Town Council, which was using the premises, both rejected the offer.

Read more: All the latest news from Sheppey