A derelict rock candy factory built in the 1800s is set to undergo a drastic transformation.

The historic property in Hibernia Street, Ramsgate, has stood empty for 10 years, having fallen into a state of disrepair.

But the property has now been bought by a husband-and-wife architectural team, who are planning a £1 million makeover of the site.

Marc Turnier and Paula Corell, whose work has featured on Channel 4's Great British Home Restoration, are converting the factory into a block of flats offering rentals, holiday lets and permanent homes.

The couple together run architecture and development company Arcvelop, which specialises in transforming older sites by blending heritage aspects with contemporary design.

“We are very pleased with the overall design and excited to transform a property with such industrial character and local heritage into new unique residences,” Mr Turnier said.

“We are particularly proud to have been able to meet the desire of the local council to retain a strong element of the building’s original use and evolution.

“The flats will add high-quality, well-designed, characterful homes and rentals to help lift the standard of accommodation in Ramsgate and meet the great demand for new homes in Thanet.”

As with their recent conversion of a dilapidated Ramsgate nursery into modern holiday lets - which earned them a spot on the small screen - the couple’s latest project aims to retain the former factory’s historic elements.

The building - first constructed in the mid-19th-century - has not been refurbished since the 1960s, and is in a Conservation Area.

Key architectural features include large industrial-style windows and a flint wall along Hibernia Street dating back to 1850.

Mr Turnier said: “The new design will keep many of the distinctive features of the factory; the flint and brick walls, large windows, pitched roof, while breathing a new lease of life into something which has stood dilapidated for many years.

“The windows will be updated to black aluminium ‘crittall-style’ windows and the existing chimney will be retained, along with painted and exposed original brickwork.”

“We purchased the site in July for £400,000 and the construction will be £550,000, so it’s over a million pound investment including all costs.”

Plans submitted for the site show the block will include one single-occupant flat, five doubles and two three-person units.

The project is set to be completed by May 2023.