Plans for a £3 million makeover of an arcade that has been a destination for families for more than 40 years have been blocked.

Jimmy G’s in The Promenade, Leysdown, was set to bring adventure golf, augmented reality darts, and a four-storey soft play area to the seaside.

But Swale council have turned down the plans which also include a show bar and sun terrace restaurant that would have offered live entertainment.

The authority refused the proposals which Godden Gaming submitted in January as the new building would “overshadow and overbear” a home in Grove Avenue, which backs onto the arcade.

It added that there was “insufficient information” on the impact on ecology. There was also an “absence of a surface water drainage strategy” the council argued.

This was despite Leysdown Parish Council being in favour of the revamp which it said would “benefit the community”.

The parish council backed the plans as long as it followed the proposals “exactly” and that the environmental health report was taken into account and enforced – which included a request for lighting and noise pollution reports.

How the front of the building would have changed if the plans had been approved

The building, run by Godden Gaming, has been an amusement centre since 1983.

It says the revamp would make the arcade “a year-round attraction to the people of Swale”.

The development, it added, would see new jobs taking the total to 25.

It told KentOnline in March: “The development would enhance the existing facilities, create new full-time and seasonal jobs, and promote better placemaking of a popular and well-established tourism facility.

“It has been designed to result in a high-quality refurbishment that will complement the existing building and enhance the site’s visual appearance from the surrounding area.”

The company has six amusement centres nationwide including two in Kent – Jimmy G’s and Palace Amusements in Ramsgate.

Cllr Tara Noe, who represents Sheppey East on Swale council, welcomed the plans in March.

She told KentOnline previously: “Jimmy G’s is already a popular spot, drawing tourists and locals.

“A refurbishment will add energy and excitement to the area, offering an even bigger reason for people to visit Leysdown.

“It is a great investment, not just in a business, but in this holiday destination.”

The plans inculded making way for the extension at the back and side of the arcade. A single-storey boarded-up building would have been demolished.

The existing outdoor rides would then be brought inside and housed in the new extension.

The car park was set to be extended too, with an additional 52 spaces – taking the total to 299. Fourteen of those would have been for Blue Badge holders and 26 EV charging points.

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KentOnline contacted Godden Games three times for comment on the plans being turned down.