Multiple floors inside a historic building overlooking Canterbury Cathedral’s ornate gated entrance are poised to be turned into flats.

Developers want to create five residential units at the prime spot in the city’s Buttermarket.

The flats are planned to go over three floors above a long-empty cafe - and former tourist information centre - at the top end of picturesque Sun Street.

On the ground floor, the vacant Number 12 tearooms, which has been empty since October 2016, is due to be let out as a retail space.

Applicant Dr Robert Edmondson is behind the project, with Canterbury-based firm Clague Architects designing the planning blueprints.

If given the seal of approval, the five flats will be comprised of a mix of one and two-bed properties looking out over the historic square below.

The building, which is located next to another vacant unit previously home to Yo! Sushi, is just yards from Christchurch Gate - the principal entrance to the Cathedral.

It is also neighboured by the huge empty shell of the former Debenhams store.

Between 2001 and 2012, the site was home to a tourist information centre run by the city council.

It then went on to become the Number 12 tearooms, but the cafe closed five years ago and the ground floor has stood empty since.

Over the years, the upper floors of the Sun Street building were used as offices, but they too are also empty.

Developers hope the flats plan will breathe new life into the redundant four-storey unit, and highlight why they believe the homes will be sought after.

“There are no commercial premises or industrial processes close by which give rise to unacceptable noise and disturbance to the future occupiers of the development,” they say.

“Those choosing to live within the city will be fully aware of its night-time economy, the proximity of pub and restaurant uses and the potential impact which they might have upon their living conditions.

“They will balance any noise impacts against the significant benefits of living here in the centre of Canterbury with its wide range of facilities, shops, attractions, entertainment uses and its unique heritage assets.”

The applicants also state how they believe the change of use from cafe to retail on the ground floor will be benefit the city.

“It will introduce a much-needed retail shop, which will contribute to the vitality and viability of the city centre,” they say.

The freehold of the four-storey property was sold for the first time in nine decades earlier this year.

It was up on the market with a price tag of £1.25 million.

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