Britain's ‘trendiest' beach town is set for biggest transformation in a DECADE as fresh plans unveiled

Luxury beachfront properties have already been built at the site
FIRST GLIMPSE Britain's 'trendiest' beach town is set for biggest transformation in a DECADE as fresh plans unveiled
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
NEW plans have been revealed for a seaside development project - months after the council blocked proposals.
The seaside town was named Time Out's top place to visit in the UK in 2025, as stats suggest it is one of the world's most 'up and coming' beach destinations.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
3
The plans were narrowly rejected by the local council in January of this year
Credit: Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company
3
A total of 84 luxury beachfront properties have already been built at the site
Credit: Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company
3
The revised proposals could bring significant change the seaside town
Credit: Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company
Folkestone harbour and seafront could undergo a significant transformation if development plans are approved.
While Sir Roger De Haan's Folkestone Harbour and Seafront Development Company has already made significant changes to the area - they are still awaiting approval for the eastern section of the seafront.
The company previously submitted development plans in January which were narrowly refused.
Councillors voted 5-4 to reject the application, expressing concerns about the design, heritage impacts and housing affordability.
Read more News
MADDIE RIDDLE Maddie suspect mystery as 'huge sum he spent after she disappeared' revealed
Public response was less favourable, with 96% of comments on the council's planning portal objecting to the proposals.
After making revisions to the plans that address the councillors' concerns, FHSDC is hoping the new proposal will be approved at a planning committee meeting on June 17.
One of the most drastic changes between the proposals is a 50 per cent increase in public parking provisions.
The increase correlates to 323 proposed public spaces, up from 215 in the original proposal - as well as a car club that should reduce pressure on residential parking.
They have also made alterations for the proposed plan to build 410 homes and 54 commercial units.
This will include 53 affordable homes, intended for shared ownership in order to meet affordability needs - as the original proposal faced backlash for failing to address local social issues.
The up-and-coming English seaside town with cheap booze and huge beaches
The new proposal includes more three-bedroom homes, as well as moving one of the proposed buildings away from the harbour station to "better respect" its historic setting.
84 beachfront properties have already been built, with prices ranging from £430,000 to £2.1 million.
FHSDC released a statement clarifying the restrictions they faced under the council's Local Plan.
The statement from FHSDC reads: 'The original permission dictated, for example, the maximum and minimum height of the buildings, and a maximum and minimum number of homes we can build, and these cannot be changed through a Reserved Matters Application.
'Any revised plans must remain within these, and other, parameters.'
Local residents had previously expressed concern about the project's design, as well as the lack of affordable housing.
One particularly outspoken resident, Georgina Baker, campaigned against the development as she believed it was "not the right development for the harbour" and that the "community deserves more."
However, FHSDC consultants believe the development would do more good for the area, with an emphasis on social benefit.
The proposal includes a new Section 106 agreement to contribute £5.19 million to local services including children's play areas, GPs, schools, social care, libraries and youth services.
This is in addition to the amount promised in the original proposal, bringing the total contribution to £8.72 million.
It is estimated that the development could generate 760 long-term jobs, boost the local economy by £21 million each year, and generate £148 million during construction.
With the luxury accommodation expected to attract wealthy residents, it is estimated to bring £9.4 million in annual spending, with almost £1 million in further tax revenue.
FHSDC told Kent Online that they hoped to correct the misinformation about the historic buildings on the development site.
A spokesperson said: "Ten years ago, the original outline planning permission provided for the demolition of the station, Customs House and Signal Box.
"At the time, these buildings were dangerous and inaccessible to the public.
"Sir Roger De Haan decided to restore and retain the station rather than demolish it and to prioritise its place in the development."
In addition to the residential properties, the development would create 7,489 square metres of commercial space used for leisure facilities, restaurants, bars and retail outlets.
The upcoming planning meeting will decide the fate of the remaining section of the project.
It comes as other areas of Folkestone are undergoing their own redevelopment.
A £20 million revamp is set to turn the bus station into a central park - complete with a plaza area, fountains and surrounding gardens.
The town's Lower Leas funicular is also undergoing a £6.6 million restoration - with the hopes it will be reopened by early 2026 after it closed nearly 10 years ago.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mirror

9 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Florian Wirtz details what Arne Slot did to persuade him to make Liverpool move

Liverpool have sealed the signing of Germany star Florian Wirtz in a club record deal worth an initial £100million, with a further £16m possible in add ons - after Kop boss Arne Slot compelled the player to head to Anfield Florian Wirtz has revealed how Arne Slot turned on the charm to persuade him to make Liverpool his new home. The Germany star has completed a club record move to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen. Liverpool have sealed a deal to pay an initial £100million, with £16m in performance-related add-ons. It is understood Liverpool will be happy to pay these 'aspirational bonuses' as it will mean they have enjoyed considerable success at elite level. ‌ If he does indeed hit all those bonuses, it will make Wirtz the most expensive player in British history, surpassing the £115m that Chelsea paid Brighton for midfielder Moises Caicedo. ‌ Wirtz, 22, has signed a five-year deal at Anfield - worth £50million. The Reds stepped up as Bayern Munich faltered, their 18-month pursuit coming unstuck as they played games in the German media with regards to what they would be prepared to pay Leverkusen, before Wirtz was left underwhelmed by a final meeting with head coach Vincent Kompany. In stark contrast both he and his family were blown away by Liverpool's pitch and particularly the first meeting with Dutch boss Slot. 'The conversations were always really good,' said Wirtz. 'I can remember the first time [we met] he already showed me some scenes and how he wants to play, how I could fit in the team. 'He was just telling me I'm a player he really wants to have in his team and I can bring the team a step forward, and I could just imagine it would be good to be in the team and to make it better. I have to make my performances every week but I'm here for this.' Wirtz admits he wanted to make a major step up when moving clubs this summer, and believes he has done just that by moving to Merseyside. ‌ 'I just thought that it was the right point in my career to make the next step and of course I wanted to get to a club that is from the top three in the world,' adds Wirtz. 'In my opinion, Liverpool is one of them. 'I just saw myself in the best hands in Liverpool. I was really convinced by the people here, by the idea, and everything what the club offers me was really good. 'Every time I spoke to one of the [people from] the club, I felt like 'this is the place I want to be. And so in the end, I was really 100 percent convinced I want to join Liverpool. And it was the best choice.' ‌ Wirtz has also been learning English ahead of his move - having been taught at Leverkusen by another Liverpool new boy, Jeremie Frimpong. "He was my neighbour in the changing room, he sat directly next to me and I had to speak English with him," Wirtz reveals. "After I finished my school, I didn't really speak good English but he was teaching me a lot and making me speak in more English and better English."

STV News

10 hours ago

• STV News

Edinburgh Council to explore trial of four-day work week for staff

Edinburgh Council is to explore running a trial of a four-day work week, following a successful study in an English council. After a decision by city councillors on Thursday, council officers will study four-day workweek trials in other parts of the country, and determine if and how a trial can be run in Edinburgh. They will also explore the state of recruitment, staff retention, productivity and health of council staff. Officers will present the report at a future meeting of the city's Finance and Resources Committee. Green councillor Claire Miller, who put forward the motion asking for a trial to be explored, said: 'When faced with the need for budget cuts every year, it's a joy to find a proposal which helps to save money while also being beneficial rather than detrimental. 'And the four day week is just that. The four day week is one where services remain as-is – there are no changes as far as residents are concerned, either in opening hours or what's provided – but our workers deliver in a reduced working week. 'Studies of four day weeks show that productivity remains the same, or in some cases even improves, when the number of hours worked is reduced down and a greater proportion of the week is given back to people for their other responsibilities, for rest and for leisure.' Cllr Miller's motion comes off the back of a 15-month four-day week trial for some staff at South Cambridgeshire District Council, which found it offered significant benefits. An academic study of the trial found that it reduced turnover by 39% and saved the council over £300,000 in agency worker fees. Additionally, it found that a range of council services either saw no change or improvements in delivery. Further, less council staff were found to be going on benefits. However, not all councillors held firm support for the motion. Conservative councillor Chris Cowdy said: 'At a time when our own council continues to face budgetary pressures, rising demand of core services and persistent performance issues, now may not be the time for a speculative experiment.' It was found that some council staff were working second jobs in their time off – however, most reported to the local authority that they had been doing so since before the trial. A spokesperson for Edinburgh Council said: 'As approved by full council, a report will be brought to a future Finance and Resources Committee. 'The report will examine this issue in more detail including reviewing evidence from other organisations.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

Scotsman

13 hours ago

• Scotsman

Edinburgh council agrees to explore possibility of trialling four-day week for staff

Edinburgh Council is to explore running a trial of a four day week on the back of a successful study in an English council. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... After a decision by city councillors on Thursday, council officers will study four day working week trials in other parts of the country, and determine if and how a trial could be run in Edinburgh. They will also explore the state of recruitment, staff retention, productivity and health of council staff. The council is to explore trialling a four-day week for staff | Getty Images/iStockphoto Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Officers will present the report at a future meeting of the city's finance and resources committee. Green councillor Claire Miller, who put forward the motion asking for a trial to be explored, said: 'When faced with the need for budget cuts every year, it's a joy to find a proposal which helps to save money while also being beneficial rather than detrimental. 'And the four day week is just that. The four day week is one where services remain as-is – there are no changes as far as residents are concerned, either in opening hours or what's provided – but our workers deliver in a reduced working week. 'Studies of four day weeks show that productivity remains the same, or in some cases even improves, when the number of hours worked is reduced down and a greater proportion of the week is given back to people for their other responsibilities, for rest and for leisure.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cllr Miller's motion comes off the back of a 15-month four day week trial for some staff at South Cambridgeshire District Council, which found it offered significant benefits. An academic study of the trial found that it reduced turnover by 39 per cent and saved the council over £300,000 in agency worker fees. Additionally, it found that a range of council services either saw no change or improvements in delivery. Further, less council staff were found to be going on benefits. However, not all councillors held firm support for the motion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Conservative councillor Chris Cowdy said: 'At a time when our own council continues to face budgetary pressures, rising demand of core services and persistent performance issues, now may not be the time for a speculative experiment.'