Critics who branded the demolition of four character homes “sickening” admit they are “pleasantly surprised” by the flats built in their place.

For almost two years hoardings have screened the development of new luxury retirement apartments in New Dover Road, Canterbury, which thousands of motorists drive past every day.

Now the temporary boards around the building site have been taken down, it has revealed a handsome terrace of properties that opponents concede does not look as bad as the “anonymous block” that was feared.

The scheme is being built by retirement accommodation specialists McCarthy Stone, with the apartments priced at up to £510,000 and having annual service charges ranging from £10,000 to £13,000.

The company’s proposals were first lodged in 2019 and originally refused by Canterbury City Council, with planning committee members branding the scale “overbearing”. But their decision was subsequently overturned on appeal.

At the time of the demolition in September 2021, David Kemsley of the Oaten Hill and South Canterbury Association said he was “physically sickened” to see the traditional houses come down.

“It’s a tragedy, and progressively the demolition of so many lovely family homes to be replaced by anonymous blocks is causing New Dover Road to lose its distinctive character,” he added.

The development is seen as another chapter in the changing face of the busy main road into Canterbury.

Over the last 20 years numerous big, detached properties with gardens have been demolished to make way for flats and, more recently, blocks of student accommodation.

But now Mr Kemsley has moderated his view of the new development, called Eastry Place, and admits to being “pleasantly surprised” by the mellow appearance of the property which he concedes “fits in quite well" with the street scene.

“I also like the way they softened the look of the hoardings with designs from art students and community information which suggests they might be good neighbours,” he added.

But he still bemoans the loss of trees, as does fellow OHSCA member, retired architect Tim Carlyle.

Mr Carlyle agrees the property blends in quite well and “doesn’t looks as bad as feared”.

But he is still concerned that although giving the appearance of four separate homes, they are, in fact, joined which he fears could set a precedent.

“The way the blocks line-up is the giveaway and it’s a bit of a half-hearted way to mitigate the effect,” he said.

“But the worry is that other developers will now go for creating other block developments like this.”

There was controversy at the time when McCarthy Stone persuaded four homeowners to sell up by offering well above market prices for the properties, including a reported £1.73 million for a house valued at about £730,000.

The houses were then promptly flattened revealing the huge garden plots behind them.

In their place, McCarthy Stone has been building three-storey ‘retirement living plus’ accommodation aimed at the over-70s, with a mix of 50 one- and two-bed flats.

They are currently being sold “off-plan” and range in price from £335,000 to £510,000 respectively.

According to the company’s website, the weekly service charge for one-beds is £192.32 (£10,000 a year) and for two-beds is £252.57 (£13,000 a year).

On top of this, residents will still have to pay separately for council tax, energy bills, broadband, a TV licence and home and contents insurance.

When complete later this year, the scheme will also offer a communal lounge, bistro, salon, parking and landscaped gardens.