Controversial plans to turn a former flower shop into a bedsit have been refused after claims it could “negatively impact village life”.

In June, proposals were submitted to convert an empty unit in The Bay, Vigo, near Gravesend, into a single apartment.

The flat would have been on the ground floor. There are existing apartments on the two floors above.

Vigo Parish Council (VPC) objected to the application for multiple reasons, and said a number of people had been in touch to raise concerns.

It claimed a ground floor property would not be in keeping with the area and would be “detrimental” to the street scene.

A site notice was put up on July 27 to inform surrounding landowners of the plans and 30 objections were received.

Some said the village needs shops and not bedsits and that it could set a precedent for other shops.

Others said shops are needed for elderly people due to lack of public transport in the area and that the “community area should be kept for the community”.

One suggested the unit could be turned into a supermarket and another stated the proposal would negatively affect village life, community spirit and house prices.

Another said: “This is not an appropriate use of the property so close to a school, overlooking it essentially, and should be reserved for shops.”

Other points raised included loss of retail provision, impact on character of the area, concerns with retention of the shop front design and lack of private amenity space.

There were also concerns the property was not large enough to be converted into residential space.

The unit was last occupied by Krystle Flower Design and in 2014 planning permission was approved to turn the ground floor into a dental surgery – however, this was never implemented.

The plans were rejected as the land is in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.