Plans to convert a historic military building into a four-bedroom home have been branded a “travesty and betrayal” by concerned campaigners.
It follows the sale of the former Sir John Moore Library at the Shorncliffe Garrison site which went under the hammer at a property auction last summer.
Applicants Sam and Thalia Holdings Ltd have now submitted plans to Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) in a bid to “end the current cycle of decay” by turning it into residential.
The Grade II-listed building, which opened more than 100 years ago, was sold by developer Taylor Wimpey at auction for £156,000.
The sale dashed the hopes of the Shorncliffe Trust, which had hoped to turn the site into an international heritage and education centre.
The hall was opened to benefit the education of troops, and nearby stands a statue honouring military pioneer General Sir John Moore, who commanded a brigade at Shorncliffe in 1803.
The applicants state the site, which is currently boarded up, is one “to fall in love with and become a custodian of”.
But Chris Shaw, chairman of the Shorncliffe Trust, says the plans are “really sad”.
“It’s another situation where a building with such history and heritage is being lost in the name of exclusive housing – which is unfortunately becoming more and more common,” he said.
“It is a travesty and a betrayal of the legacy of Sir John Moore, the founder of the modern British Army.
“It’s shocking that nobody from institutions of British heritage seems to care. I’ve spent 19 years fighting for Fokestone’s heritage, and nobody in the town will step up – this should not go to anything else except the local community.”
In documents submitted to FHDC, Sam and Thalia Holdings Ltd says its plans will give the site a new lease of life, with its stained-glass windows set to remain in place.
Two bedrooms and bathrooms are proposed for each floor, while 11 visitor parking spaces already in place will be available to residents.
“The proposals will introduce a viable new use to this underused and neglected building, ending the current cycle of decay while preserving and enhancing surviving historic fabric,” it said.
“This works alongside sensitive new interventions that work with the original spatial configuration, maintaining the character of the building whilst providing it with a sustainable new future.”
But concerns have also been raised on FHDC’s planning portal, where 10 objections have been registered.
One commenter said: “My father was posted at Shorncliffe. He remembers with pride his time spent there, but sadly, there is not much left.
“It’s a disgrace that the old library is now going. We have lost so much it can never be replaced. Don’t we owe it to so many that passed through here and the so many that never came back?”
The memorial hall was originally part of the Shorncliffe Garrison development put forward by housebuilder Taylor Wimpey, which gained permission in 2015 to turn the historic barracks into 1,200 homes.
Under the new plans, a stage to the western end of the hall is set to be retained as a raised seating area, with a new balcony positioned on the first floor allowing a view over the space.
A spokesman for the applicants added: “After many years of sitting damp, empty, and unused, our primary aim is to preserve Sir John Moore Memorial Hall and, most importantly, restore its heritage features and charm to ensure it can adopt a sustainable new use for the future.
“With the residential-led redevelopment of the former Shorncliffe Garrison, the hall’s historic use as a recreational building for the servicemen is no longer required.
“A considerable amount of investment is now needed to reconnect utilities and restore the building, something that a residential conversion can best deliver.
“This is a building to fall in love with and become a custodian of. From the outset, we have gone to great lengths, including using one of the top conservation architectural practices in the country to ensure that the design works are appropriate and sensitive.
“A lot of research has gone into understanding the history of the building so that this can be celebrated.”
The spokesman added how the site owners feel the residents’ disappointment at seeing the building decline.
They said that by converting it into a “unique residential dwelling,” they can ensure its future for the wider community.
“The proposals we have submitted retain, restore, and celebrate the building’s key architectural and historic features, such as the internal stage and the stained-glass windows,” they added.
“Where possible, we have designed internal changes to be easily reversed to protect the building’s integrity.”
A decision on the application will be made by planning officers at FHDC.
