Plans for a town’s first standalone Greggs in a former bank have been rejected due to the “harm” it will have on the conservation area.

Two planning applications were submitted to Dover District Council (DDC) for the bakery chain to open in the empty Natwest building in the high street.

The first application – which has been approved – is for five signs to be erected at the town centre building.

Officers approved the bid, despite “internal illumination” being “rarely acceptable in such circumstances”.

The second application however, for a replacement entrance door and installation of air conditioning condenser units and extract grilles, has been rejected.

This is due to the impact a new door would have on the building, which is late Victorian in age and situated in a conservation area.

Planning documents state: “The replacement of the timber entrance door with a modern design will harm the significance of the Middle Street Conservation Area and there are no overriding public benefits.”

The literature adds the “proposals due to its design would have adverse impact on the street scene” and the development would result “in harm to the character of the building”.

The applications for the UK’s largest bakery franchise to move to Deal were submitted to DDC last month.

Members of the public had submitted objections to the authority’s planning portal, with David Beamish commenting: “We have a very good independent bakery in Deal, as well as being able to purchase bread and cakes in the town’s supermarkets.

“Please don’t bring another large organisation to the town. We must retain individual retail units.”

On approving the plans for the new signs, a DDC report stated: “The adverts are internally illuminated in a busy town centre area.

“It is not considered that they will distract drivers or have an adverse impact on highway safety.

“The building is a good example of late Victorian/early 20th-century architecture, which contributes to the conservation area.

“Although internal illumination is rarely acceptable in such circumstances, there are examples of such in the immediate vicinity and the area to be illuminated, and the illumination level is relatively discrete.

“On balance, the proposed advertisements by virtue of their location, size, design and materials are considered acceptable and would not detract from the amenity of the area and would not cause harm to public safety.”

The building has been empty since NatWest quit the town in July 2023 after the number of visitors to the branch fell by 64%.

Greggs already has an outlet in the Deal Service Station in the A258 London Road.

The firm will face stiff competition from Al's Bakery, already established in the High Street.

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Greggs was approached but did not wish to comment.

A spokesman for DDC said: “One application was for new signs, which was granted, while the other was for a replacement door and installation of air conditioning condenser units and extract grilles, which was refused.

“Permission for change of use is not required in this matter.”