Tunbridge Wells County and Family Court has been earmarked for closure by the government.

HM Courts and Tribunals service has identified the building, in London Road, as one of 19 in the south east that are either underused or of poor quality.

During the previous financial year the court was only used up to 17% of its capacity and a consultation into its permanent closure will run from now until October 8.

The announcement comes one day after justice secretary Michael Gove said criminal hearings could be heard in town halls and hotels in the future.

In this case however it is proposed that the court’s workload will be transferred to Maidstone Combined Court and Hastings County Court.

Any existing family court matters would be issued to family courts in either Maidstone, Chatham, Dartford or Canterbury.

Shailesh Vara, the courts and tribunals minister, said: “We are reforming the courts and tribunal service so that it meets the needs of modern day users.

“Access to justice is not just about attending court. As we bring in digital technology for better and more efficient access to justice, fewer people will need to physically be in a court.

“This means that we will need fewer buildings, and with many already underused and in poor quality, now is a good time to review the estate.”

Tunbridge Wells County Court and Family Court is a rented building with the lease due to expire in September 2017.

It contains two courtrooms, one hearing room and four interview rooms.

The operating costs for the previous financial year were £463,000.