Plans to turn an ‘underutilised’ community centre into a shop have been rejected by councillors.

The proposal was for the centre, known as Heysham Hall, in Taylor Road, Lydd on Sea, on Romney Marsh.

The owner had submitted plans to Folkestone and Hythe District Council to transform it into a retail outlet.

A previous application for the same changes was refused by the authority in 2021.

This newer application was discussed by FHDC’s planning and licensing committee on September 20, 2022 where members voted unanimously to reject it.

It was heard that the site - next to a fish and chip shop - was a retail shop until 2012, when it was turned into a community centre.

According to the council, since then “the community centre has faced many complications and has been underutilised.”

The community centre charges £5 an hour for use of the premises.

At the meeting, Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee (Con) said: “It sounds as though it’s not in great condition. £5 an hour is very very low for a community space”.

The first floor of the building forms two rented flats, but the council recently gave the owner permission to subdivide these to form four flats instead.

This application was rejected on the grounds it would need to be shown that the community centre is no longer needed.