Controversial plans to transform Folkestone Harbour with 410 home development rejected
Plans for the transformation of Folkestone Harbour have been dealt a significant blow after Folkestone and Hythe District Council voted to reject the controversial scheme. Submitted by Sir Roger De Haan’s Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company, the plans were turned down by the council's planning and licensing committee following a heated meeting on Tuesday evening (January 21).
The project includes 410 homes and 54 commercial units as part of the ongoing redevelopment of the town’s harbour and seafront. The decision leaves the future of the project in uncertainty.
The two-hour session saw passionate arguments from all sides, with members of the public, councillors, and Sir Roger De Haan himself presenting their cases. Supporters praised the development for its potential economic and cultural benefits, while opponents raised concerns about its impact on the community and environment.
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In a dramatic conclusion shortly after 10pm, councillors voted against the recommendation of the council’s planning officers. The motion to reject the scheme passed with five votes in favour, four against, and one abstention.
The decision is expected to spark further debate about the future direction of Folkestone’s redevelopment efforts. Councillor Bridget Chapman, speaking on behalf of Folkestone Town Council, said it was the right decision to reject the project, and urge the developer to "consider their position before appealing it."
She said: "If this development is going to happen and be successful then it needs to provide the homes and amenities that this community needs. However, it is imposed as it currently stands on the town, then I don't see how it can work.
"Genuine community engagement is key to finding a way forward. The town council prioritise the rights and wellbeing of those who already live here over those who may come to live in the proposed development.
"People feel the proposals are out of keeping with the town and offer them very little in the way of amenities they would use. The developer has open holiday lets at Shoreline and it looks like this trend will continue. This could exacerbate the seasonal nature of any shared benefits.
“The people that live here have mortgages, rents, and cost of living to deal with. They are not seasonal.”
Sir Roger De Haan spoke to the meeting in support of the application. He said that since the initial application for over 1,000 homes was submitted 11 years ago, the level of half a mile of beach had been raised by about 2.2 meters.
He said: “We have lovingly repurposed and refurbished the run-down viaduct and swing bridge and signal box, also, without any obligation to do so, the dilapidated station, Customs House as well as the harbour, the Harbour Arm and the lighthouse. We have created a new economic purpose for a redundant brownfield site that I have always believed is of significant importance to our town. I am very proud of what we present today, particularly the outstanding work of the architects.
“With its reprofiled beach heightened at ground levels at the harbour and the new sea walls, we will provide a critical defence against flooding not only for our development but much of the adjacent land and property in lower Folkestone.”
Mr De Haan said that the regeneration of the area has already had a very positive impact on Folkestone’s economy.