Plans to transform a “visually poor” former Woolworths building into 23 flats and a new shop have been dropped.

Residents and traders slammed proposals to demolish the Multi-Save store in Market Street, Faversham, and replace it with a four-storey complex.

They fear it would not be “in keeping with the historic town centre” and are concerned the increased height of the building would be out of place.

Developers wanted to knock down the existing structure and the large unit behind the site to make way for the homes and create a new retail space in the replacement building.

But Swale Borough Council posted on its planning portal last week the application had been withdrawn.

No reasons have been given for why the plans were dropped.

KentOnline has made multiple efforts to contact the developers through various phases of the planning process to date.

It comes after it was revealed in November the council and the developer were still hammering out negotiations before it could proceed to the planning committee.

The council told last year the application could only be approved once the funding for “necessary infrastructure enhancements has been secured through developer contributions”, which is known as a Section 106 agreement.

It added council officers were negotiating these matters.

London-based Impact Developments Faversham Ltd, which owns the site, lodged a planning application in February last year.

"The existing 'two-storey' facade is a very poor 1950s insertion that was never in-keeping with the street scene, in either scale or materials," documents from the applicant stated.

"It was also false at the upper floor, being a propped brick facade with nothing behind it.

"The design of the new facade is intended to strengthen the street scene through appropriate detailing, proportionate storey heights - having no consistent levels to replicate - and an appropriate overall massing.

"At ground level, an entrance to the residential units has been introduced with independent expression to the retail component, allowing residents to access from Market Street.

"This creates a far better functional relationship between the front and rear residential components than previously."

It was envisaged there would be a four-storey building connected via a garden area to a new retail unit and three additional floors above to provide three more flats.

The new block would have been built adjacent to the Central Car Park, where 20 flats were earmarked.

Several objections were tabled, including from Forget-Me-Not card shop owner Julie Pickering, who said: “The plans do not indicate where the additional parking would be for these new flats.

“Will the taxi rank that currently stands at the rear of the property fall victim to these proposed plans?

“This taxi rank is a lifeline to many of the residents of this town.”

The trader also had concerns about the impact the demolition will have on businesses - which is chiefly whether Market Street will be closed to traffic and pedestrians so the work can be carried out.

“The effect of a four-storey building being built directly opposite has not even been considered,” she added.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

“The loss of natural light would once again impact businesses.”

Neighbour Nick Williams says the new building would overlook and overshadow his garden.

“The proposed visual appearance will not be in keeping with the historic town centre,” he said.

The Faversham branch of Woolworths closed in January 2009 after the firm went into administration.

More than 1,000 people signed a petition against the closure of the town's store.