‘What we do not need is more homes’

More than 170 commenters added their opinions to ABC’s post within 24 hours.

One comment left by Julia Fogerty echoed the vast majority of the posters by saying: “What a shame - a theatre there was a brilliant idea.

“People in Ashford do go to the theatre, we just have to travel to Canterbury and London to do that at the moment.

“Failing that, the indoor market is a great idea.

“It’s good for small businesses, people who have occasional crafts to sell, and is an all-weather venue.

“It’s right in the heart of the town centre, and will entice people in again.

“What we do not need is more housing.

“This will turn the town centre into another housing estate with a couple of shops.”

Another, Ben Clifton, raised fears over the lack of open spaces.

He said: “When I grew up in the 1980s there was very little to actually do in Ashford, but we had open spaces.

“Now there is equally nothing to do, and yet we are building blocks and blocks of flats, houses on floodplains and open spaces are disappearing.

“Let’s make Ashford great, not just the country’s biggest hotel for London workers.”

Others conceded that while a theatre is a nice idea, the section of the building being demolished won’t be too much of a loss.

Malcolm Triggs wrote: “This is a predominantly ugly building, particularly from the rear, and there is no commercial justification for a theatre that would be under-used, costly and simply take trade away from other theatres in the area.

“If you read the plans you will see that the pretty bit (sort of) - the front - is being kept.

“You are entitled to your opinion, and to disagree with the plans, but at least read the proposal first.”

ABC chiefs have already agreed a budget of £1.3m to demolish the building, as well as an overall figure of £21.3m for the whole scheme.

Last year, a petition calling on ABC to convert it into a theatre attracted 3,200 signatures.