Plans to replace a historic former leisure centre with 16 new homes are expected to be given the go-ahead, despite fears over lack of parking.

Developers want to demolish the former Royal Leisure Centre in King Street, Deal, and replace it with the homes and three new shops.

The scheme for the Victorian building, previously a snooker hall, theatre and cinema, is expected to be approved by Dover District Council’s planning committee tomorrow (Thursday) night.

The proposal has divided locals with 31 letters to the authority opposing the change and 46 for it.

Some of those against it said the now-vacant building is part of the history of the town and should be listed and converted rather than demolished.

Objectors also said the change would lead to the loss of an entertainment venue and that Deal needs a cinema rather than shops.

They also complained it would increase pressure on parking and traffic, as the development will have no parking spaces.

Resident Brendon Harvey said on the council’s planning portal: “This is a historic building relating to Deal’s once numerous cinema and theatre provision

“By allowing this to be demolished another vital link to Deal’s past will be lost.”

Rosie Kirk added on the portal: “This is practically a Deal landmark, used by the community and local generations for decades.

“It is a beautiful historical structure and ought to be kept as such.”

Gary Nicholls wrote: “Sixteen dwellings will require a lot of parking space for which there is no provision.”

Deal Town Council is against the scheme because of concerns about parking and because affordable housing is no longer being offered by applicant MW Amusements Ltd, who say this is not financially viable.

Those for the application say the existing building is an “eyesore” and in poor condition and would provide needed homes and commercial opportunity.

They believe conversion would be too difficult.

Alex Wallace was a cashier at the centre from November 1972, when the building was the Royal Cinema, until its closure on April 4, 1981 when he was the last manager.

He said: “We have to put sentimental feelings aside, pull this building down and start afresh.

“The proposals put forward are very sensible and I support this application 100%. Sensible changes for our children and grandchildren are most welcome and this application should be supported by all the inhabitants of the Deal area.”

He said during his time at the building it had severe damp: “The plaster on the walls flaked off to such a rate I had to vacuum the seats every day before opening the cinema up and scrape the mushrooms off. Zero insulation features.”

Lisa Harris said: “I think the proposals are a significant improvement on the current building. It will provide desirable properties as well as attractive retail space of a size that works well in the local area.”

Margaret Baluta, boss of the Marheritas restaurants in nearby Middle Street, said this would boost local businesses and was “adding housing to a building that already exists rather than destroying green space.”

Planning officers are recommending approval of the plan saying this would provide 16 homes in a town centre and the mixed use would contribute to the area’s vitality.

The building was constructed in 1890 as the Oddfellows Hall and turned into a theatre in 1892. It was a cinema from 1934 to 1981, then it was converted into an amusement arcade on the ground floor with a snooker club on the first floor.

In April 2021 the building and its surrounding area was used as a location for Danny Boyle’s six-part TV drama Pistol, based on the autobiography of Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones.