The long-awaited transformation of an abandoned Christian holiday camp that has fallen into ruin is set to finally go ahead.

Canterbury City Council planners have thrown their weight behind a bid drawn up by developer Xiros Limited to turn Herne Bay Court into a 60-bed care home.

Papers show 72 flats and 49 bungalows are also earmarked for the nine-acre Canterbury Road site - which will be run as a vast retirement village.

Residents say the proposals for the plot will “only be good for the area”, as the landmark has been a magnet for vandals and unruly teens since it was vacated in 2007.

Their hopes for the redevelopment have been bolstered, as authority officials are now urging councillors to approve the scheme next week.

Documents penned by the planners state: “The proposal would bring a derelict site back into active use.

“Kent County Council’s highways and transportation teams are satisfied it would not have a severe impact on the local road.”

A shop, restaurant and hairdressers – all of which will be run by the new facility – will also be erected.

Xiros wants to demolish part of the main building and construct an extension to create a care home equipped with 60 en-suite bedrooms.

That facility provide 24-hour nursing care to people over the age of 60.

Meanwhile, the rest of the accommodation is proposed for elderly people, of which the primary occupier will have to be at least 65 years old.

“This would contribute towards the council’s housing need as well as the identified need for this type of housing in the district,” the planners add.

“It is recommended planning permission be granted.”

First known as Parsonage House, the site was built in 1896.

It was later home to an engineering college, before being occupied by a succession of military units during the Second World War.

Shortly after changing hands in 1948, the plot was turned into a Christian conference and holiday centre, which was in operation for almost 60 years.

Over the period its main building overlooked lawns, a swimming pool and tennis courts.

Dwindling demand and the prospect of housing developments nearby influenced the decision by owner Centre Ministries Office, based in Shropshire, to sell up.

Plans submitted by Xiros state: “We’ve been working for the last 24 months to bring forward a deliverable scheme.

“Funders are now in place to deliver the site.

“The buildings on site are derelict and unsafe .

“Vandalism is an issue here – despite security measures being taken – and it’s in the best site’s best interests to develop it.”

"It’s going to be like a mini village, and it will be good for the community. Bring it on..."

Xiros expects the retirement village to employ up to 17 full-time members of staff in all.

It is not the first time a retirement village has been proposed for the plot in Eddington.

A 117-home bid was green-lit in 2013. The developer was unable to secure funding, and later sold the plot to Xiros.

Neighbour Ray Radmore, whose Parsonage Road cattery faces the land, previously told the Gazette: “We’ve had so much vandalism over there.

“Kids have been breaking in just for fun – it’s getting ridiculous and one of them is going to hurt themselves.

“It’s going to be like a mini village, and it will be good for the community. Bring it on.”

Councillors will decide whether to approve the scheme at a planning committee meeting on Tuesday, December 13.