A former mayor plans to fight proposals which could see a landmark building removed from the town forever.

An application has been submitted to Swale council to demolish the former magistrates’ court in Park Road.

The proposal is to build a three-storey building containing eight, four bedroom houses, a pair of two bedroom flats and a single one bedroom flat, plus storage for 24 bicycles.

It has been put forward by Bailey Partners Investment Ltd, which bought the site just before Christmas along with the car park used by the former courthouse staff adjacent to the telephone exchange in Albany Road.

Before going up for sale, Peter Morgan made numerous attempts to stop it from being sold and possibly knocked down.

However, his idea to turn it into a community centre was unsuccessful as was his appeal to English Heritage for it to be listed.

FACES of Kent, a charity which offers support services to carers of all ages, also put forward a bid for the site. It had hoped to transform it into a centre for its clients but its offer wasn’t accepted.

Mr Morgan said: “I will shortly be mounting a campaign to save the former magistrates’ court. I already have a plan for recruiting support.

“To build anything else on that site would be an act of vandalism and must be resisted. It is a significant building and is a prominent feature in the High Street/West Street scene.

“I had applied to Swale council for this building to be recognised as an asset of community value but never received a response to my plea.

“In the near future, Sittingbourne will lose Phoenix House, the only community centre in the town. This former court could be adapted to that use.

Without changing any external features the inside of the building could be adapted to a wide variety of uses including commercial ones.

“I have already drafted a letter of objection to the head of development services and have asked permission to address the planning committee.

To see the application in full, visit www.ukplanning.com and search for SW/14/0179.