A historic building in a popular park could be used for weddings for the first time.

A planning application has been submitted to extend the use of the cafe and adjoining billiards room at Kearsney Abbey, in Temple Ewell near Dover.

As well as weddings, the venue could be used to host receptions, private events, meetings and conferences.

The scheme is by Dover District Council and for this it has to make an application to its own planning department.

The authority explains that the town of Dover only has three other venues for civil weddings, non-religious ones officiated by a registrar. Two of these are hotels.

The council’s heritage and support statement states: “Many people already use the parks (Kearsney Abbey is part of a trio) for the wedding photos.

“We propose to offer the facility for a ceremony before they are able to move to another venue for the reception or host a small celebration at the café and billiards room.”

Maximum numbers for the billiards room would be 60 people for a ceremony, theatre style meeting or standing reception.

There would 40 people for a seated meeting or meal.

The café space would be maximum of 40 people seated and the site has more than 100 parking spaces.

The application also seeks the allowance of the sale of alcohol, not for a full bar but the serving of drinks for meals and receptions.

The venue would be used until 10pm for these special events.

The applicants say the number of private events would be limited during peak periods to avoid extra pressure on the park and surrounding areas.

Their statement says: “We do not believe the change of use will impact the heritage status or building in any way.

“We hope that using the space in new ways will allow the public to enjoy the heritage of the building and help to preserve it for future generations.”

One member of the public has already written to the council’s planning department over the scheme, expressing fears of noise and light pollution.

Michael Brooks said: “The proposed use as an event space would see the park being used to host weddings and other events.

“This would represent a loss of amenity to users of the park and possibly a nuisance to local residents.

“The proposal also does not address unwanted artificial light coming from the commercial space, which has large areas of glass.

“This light pollution would without any doubt impact the large numbers of bird life resident in the park and additionally aid the spread of unwanted light into the nearby countryside.

“A revised proposal for daytime only events without music or ceremony only event would address these concerns.”

DDC says music would be acoustic and background and would be within the building to limit any noise pollution.

Kearsney Abbey is one of three parks in the Alkham valley, part of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The other two are Russell Gardens and Bushy Ruff.

They are Green Flag award winners.

The billiards room was originally Kearsney Manor and was extended by 2020 to include the café.

This was part of a major programme of improvements in the area in a £3.1 million National Lottery Heritage Fund project.