A listed railway station is set to undergo a major refurbishment according to new plans.

Faversham station could undergo extensive work to transform a number of its facilities with a planning application submitted to modernise facilities.

The Grade-II listed station could see new toilets, revamped waiting rooms, platform benches and stairs as part of a project to improve accessibility and update the station.

This will also include new ticket vending machine, a new bin store and cycle parking facility.

As part of the works, existing cycle hoops dotted around the station will be removed, while cycle lockers that line walkways within the station will also be cleared.

The waiting rooms and toilets on each platform will be refurbished, and a new disabled toilet will replace an existing storage cupboard on platforms three and four.

An excerpt from planning documents described the aim of the project as “to improve the passenger experience at the station.”

“From the inception of this project, the aim has been to provide a modern refurbishment and additions whilst preserving the existing listed building and minimising any visual impact of the development,” it continues.

“The upgrades to the existing station facilities have been carefully considered to minimise their impact to the listed building and will be clearly modern additions to avoid clouding the history of the station.

“The refurbishment of existing facilities has looked to minimise any works to the heritage elements of the existing building and where new facilities are being installed these have either been located within unused back-of-house areas or have been located away from the station buildings.

“Installation of the secure cycle parking facility and bin store is clearly a modern addition to the station, [while] the refurbishment of the toilets will refresh the tired facilities and won’t have any impact of the heritage features of the station.”

Further details about a timescale for the project as well as its overall cost has not been confirmed by Southeastern, which owns and operates the station.

In 2019, the rail company defended claims from the Faversham Society and the town’s MP Helen Whately who said the structures had been neglected.

It said £1m had been invested to address issues including restoring wooden door frames, addressing damp and replacing station canopies.

Meanwhile in 2018 new lifts were installed at the station.

Reflecting on the latest planning application, a spokesman for Southeastern Railway said: “We’re working on plans for a range of improvements for customers at Faversham station, including enhancements to waiting rooms, toilets and lighting, as part of our commitment to a better, more reliable, and sustainable railway.

“While these plans have yet to be finalised we’ll be in a position to explain more in due course.

“We’re not anticipating any disruption to train services as a result of our plans.”