More than 50 objections have been lodged against the shortening of the Grade II Prince of Wales pier on Dover’s seafront.

It comes after the Port of Dover submitted a planning application for the removal of its furniture followed by the reduction in height by around 2.5m.

The work is being done to create a new Western Docks cargo terminal and a transformed marina costing £120m.

One comment says that it would be a “smack in the face” for Dovorians, and that it would be like “demolishing the Dover Castle because something would look better in its place.”

Residents are also concerned that public access to the pier will be barred indefinitely once construction is completed.

But head of development at the port, Nigel Bodell, has defended the reasons as to why the structural work needs to go ahead.

Mr Bodell said: “Constructed in 1976-77 the Prince of Wales Pier sheet piled walls enabled the land reclamation for the hoverport to be completed.

“The height reduction work only relates to the newer sheet piled section of the pier.”

The £120m development is set to include a new marina curve which will house cafes, shops and restaurants with views of the harbour and the castle.

He said: “At first glance the enabling works may seem like a simple exercise that some would call a demolition project, but on closer inspection it is a controlled deconstruction of the upper part of the pier.”

The port has said that the removal of the furniture will be done carefully and that all heritage items will be stored for future use.

Mr Bodell said: “The pier has to be closed during the construction period for obvious safety reasons but when completed the new marina curve will be publicly accessible and, when combined with the new marina pier, will continue to provide and enhance the recreational environment of Dover seafront.”

Labour councillor John Heron said that these objections have been put forward due to a lack of consultation.

Cllr Heron said: “The Secretary of State for Transport stated that ‘the community needed to be at the heart of the port’s decision making process.

“That so many people have objected to the removal of the street furniture is indicative of the fact that this has singularly failed to happen”.

Dover Town Council objected to the proposal last week because it was felt plans for future amenities are “misleading” if people are not able to use it in future.