A once-popular social club could be demolished and turned into flats.
The former Oddfellows club in Broomfield Road, Cheriton, was once a hub for members, offering a bar, lounge, stage and pool hall.
Now, plans have been submitted to Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) to flatten the early 20th-century site and build homes.
Developer Fairbett Estates Ltd wants to create six new flats on the plot, while keeping an existing three-bedroom maisonette – making a total of seven homes.
If approved, the rear extensions and outside stairs would be knocked down to make way for gardens and balconies.
The front of the building would be restored, with railings reinstalled and new space for bikes and bins.
Each floor would be laid out differently.
The lower ground would house a one-bed and a two-bed flat, the ground floor would contain two one-beds and another two-bed, and the upper floors would each contain a larger three-bed home.
The building’s “distinctive tall ceilings and large windows” – once part of the club’s social spaces – would be kept and used to create “bright, spacious” flats, according to planning documents.
A statement from the applicant says the new homes would offer a “high-quality” use for the building, and help preserve its character while giving it a new lease of life.
The existing property stands four storeys high and is believed to date back to about 1900.
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The design work has been carried out by Folkestone-based Profile Architects, which says the project would make “better use of the site” as it has stood largely unused since the club closed.
If approved, the transformation would mark a significant change for a building that played a central role in the community for decades.
When it was open, Oddfellows provided a place for residents to meet, relax and socialise.
There are currently no objections to the application.
A decision is expected to be made by FHDC by August 7.
