Plans that would see a community space in West Malling converted to housing will be discussed by councillors tonight. An application to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, would result in St Mary's Church Centre, at the top of Churchfields, being replaced by five homes.

The building was once home to the town's primary and nursery schools, but church leaders say it has been left under-used for the past two decades. It now houses the Sunday School club, parish council meetings and a mother and baby group.

The application would see the conversion of the centre into three homes, with two new houses built at the front of the site. A former air-raid shelter and an outside block of toilets would also be demolished.

David Green, priest-in-charge of St Mary’s West Malling, said: “The building has been costing the church thousands of pounds each year for decades. It’s an expense we simply cannot afford.

“The building is not in good repair and we can’t afford to renovate. It will slowly become a ruin.”

The centre was condemned by the Diocese of Rochester in 2011 as “beyond economic repair”, and a resident’s recent attempt to gain listed status for it failed.

Plans have been met with criticism from residents, with many expected to turn out at tonight's planning committee meeting to find out the fate of the centre.

Richard Selkirk, chairman of the West Malling Parish Council planning committee, said: “This proposed housing development is very important as its located in the heart of the West Malling conservation area. There will be a lot of residents with views both for and against it.”

In October, more than 100 residents turned out to share their views at a public meeting.

Concerns were raised that the road leading to the development would not be able to cope with the extra traffic demand.

There were also doubts over the loss of conservation space and the size of the development compared with the size of the land.

Councillors will vote on proposals at the planning committee meeting, which will be held in the Gibson Building, Gibson Drive, Kings Hill, at 7.30pm.