“Imposing” plans to transform a town centre charity shop into smaller stores and flats have been approved.

The British Heart Foundation in Margate High Street is set to be filled with a mix of residential and retail units, plus another floor.

But some objected to the bid calling the proposals “oppressive and imposing”, arguing there is currently insufficient infrastructure for those living in the town centre and visitors.

Planning documents submitted to Thanet District Council (TDC) describe the ground floor being split into three shopfronts.

The first floor and a proposed second floor above would house a combination of one, two, and three-bedroom flats.

Plans by Silverland Properties also include a communal courtyard and roof-level areas as well as parking for cars and bicycles.

And they have since been approved by a TDC planning officer.

“The existing building is architecturally unrelated to neighbouring buildings,” they say in planning papers.

“The proposed alterations would introduce window detailing in the high street that would respect the glazing on the ground floor and would be appropriate in design terms for this unique building.

“The alterations would introduce modern materials offering potentially improved thermal properties and provide space for additional retail units and alternative uses for the building in the form of residential accommodation on the first floor.”

It was also deemed the development retains retail use, the homes would provide a “good standard of living accommodation” and would not result in significant harm to neighbours.

Some objected to the plans earlier this year claiming the building would be “oppressive”.

Colin Mitchell, who lives in the town, thinks the scheme would be “imposing” and out of character with the rest of the high street.

“The loss of the British Heart Foundation would be a major blow,” said Mr Mitchell.

“The building would be much higher than surrounding properties and would block light.

"Allowing this development will not be good for the high street - this needs to be rejected.”

Mr Benjamin Vorono, who opened his restaurant Dive down the street from the store earlier this year, worries having more people living in the high street could make business difficult.

“There is no precedent for this kind of development on the high street, and there is not the infrastructure in this part of town for more housing,” he commented on the council’s planning website.

“High streets are historically areas of commerce and this extension and increase in population density could have a negative impact on the ability to trade.”

“This extension would be placed on top of a building that has a significant footprint and two additional floors would be visually oppressive.”

Plans were recommended for approval at TDC’s planning committee in July but were formally approved this week.