A beleaguered Grade II-listed former vicarage will be overhauled into flats - despite objectors branding the plans “very crude”.

Developers have been given the nod to transform the striking 1790s building in Chapel Place, Ramsgate, into seven small flats.

But objectors criticised John Elvidge Planning Consultancy’s scheme arguing the flats were too’ “high density” and the proposed extensions “very crude”.

An adult education centre in the 1970s and 80s, the owners now want to “reveal and restore the historic significance” inside and outside the house.

In documents lodged with Thanet District Council, the consultancy firm said: “Evidence on site and historical newspaper articles, confirm the building was used during the 1970s and 1980s as a local authority adult education centre.

“However, following the closure of the centre, the building remained vacant for many years and coupled with previous construction work has fallen into a significant state of disrepair.

“This also involved the removal of items and areas of the historic fabric prior to the purchase of the property by the applicants in 2022.”

The property sold for £405,000 in February of that year according to Rightmove.

Previous plans for five one-bedroom and two two-bed homes were submitted however, these were deemed to show a “poor internal layout”, and were amended.

The fresh proposals will see three one-bed and four two-bed flats within the three-storey former vicarage however, objectors Ramsgate Heritage and Design Forum has labelled two proposed extensions “crude”

The organisation claims: “This Grade II-listed property has particularly special and unique architectural value and significance.

“There was some historic fire damage to part of the building when we inspected it in 2022, but this did not materially detract from this highly significant Georgian main building with its Pugin extension.

“The proposed new extension to the rear is very crude, and there is no detailing for the brickwork.

“The interior space planning shows rooms of such minimal proportion and high density that this would be 'de facto' an HMO.

“Basement accommodation has inadequate daylight, and detailing such as doors are not appropriate to the era and design.

“The heritage statement does not include any photos of the current interior. As indicated earlier, we strongly suspect the original interior has been stripped out with flagrant disregard for the status of the building, resulting in the substantial loss of historic fabric.

“The previous planning permission to create flats was more acceptable than this current application which the forum considered to be inappropriate over development of an important building.”

But developers claim they will revive the Georgian features of the former educational centre.

John Elvidge Planning Consultancy states: “All existing windows, including the two, large Gothic style bays, together with the main entrance door, will be retained, repaired, restored and re-painted.

“With regard to the interior of the building - dealing firstly with the items referenced within the list entry - the covered staircase will be opened up, and all balusters either repaired or replaced where they have been removed or damaged beyond repair.

“The staircase will be restored to its original condition and appearance, better revealing its historic significance.

“Any harm to the significance of the property as a listed building is less than substantial and is outweighed by the significant public benefits of bringing the property back into beneficial use, by restoring heritage significance and securing its optimum viable use.”

On approving the plans, a Thanet District Council officer said: “It is noted that the subdivision of the building and the external alterations and extensions will alter the building and cause some harm, but that this is a building which has evolved over time and this development would be seen as a logical evolution of its layout.

“It is considered the harm generated would be less than substantial and is weighed against the fact the development would help ensure the building is brought into use.”

One of the conditions imposed on developers is to change the blue colour on the windowsills at the front of the soon-to-be flats.

The officer said the colour they wanted is “too bright” and a more muted shade should be used.

In fact, they even specified an exact shade of pastel blue paint to be applied.

They will also need to make the council aware of any further artefacts or old features workers uncover.

Permission was granted for offices and flats at the site in 2007, but the work never materialised.