A large high street charity shop could be transformed into several smaller stores and flats in a multi-storey extension bid.

The British Heart Foundation has long been a staple in Margate High Street, but developers hope to fill the 530 sq m space with a mix of residential and retail units and add another floor.

Locals have objected to the plan, claiming the building would be “oppressive”, and there is insufficient infrastructure for more residents on the street.

Colin Mitchell, who lives in the town, thinks the scheme would “imposing” and out of character with the rest of the the High Street.

“The loss of British Heart Foundation would be a major blow,” said Mr Mitchell.

“The building would be much higher than surrounding properties and would block light.

"Allowing this development will not be good for the High Street - this needs to be rejected.”

Planning documents submitted to Thanet District Council describe the ground floor being split up into three shopfronts.

The floor above and a proposed second floor above that would house a combination of one, two and three-bedroom flats.

The bid by Silverland Properties also includes a communal courtyard, communal roof level areas and parking for cars and bicycles.

Mr Benjamin Vorono, who is in the process of opening a restaurant down the street from the store, worries having more people living on the High Street could make business difficult.

“There is no precedent for this kind of development on the High Street, and there is not the infrastructure in this part of town for more housing,” he commented on the council’s planning website.

“High Streets are historically areas of commerce and this extension and increase in population density could have a negative impact on the ability to trade.”

“This extension would be placed on top of a building that has a significant footprint and two additional floors would be visually oppressive.”

Council planning officers say the additional units on the upper floors “appear to be permissible”.

But they noted that any external changes would have to be “sympathetic to the design of the existing building and neighbouring development”.