Twelve homes will be built on an “eyesore” patch of land where five blocks of flats once stood if new plans are approved.

Moat Homes wants to construct the “affordable” homes in Pilgrim Spring, Folkestone, in place of 44 apartments that were demolished in 2018.

A report found the four-storey blocks “were not fit for purpose”, citing poor heating and ventilation due to their design.

Moat Homes had initially planned to replace the blocks with a further 62 apartments for people over the age of 55.

But these plans were withdrawn in December after the company could not agree on parking provisions with Kent Highways.

The decision was also made after bus operator Stagecoach withdrew its service from Pilgrim Spring.

But now new plans submitted to Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) by Frankham Projects, on behalf of Moat Homes, show the development would be made up of four two-beds, five three-beds, two four-beds and one five-bed house.

There would be 22 parking spaces and each home would come with cycle storage facilities.

The site is located at the bottom of Sugarloaf Hill within the Kent Downs National Landscape.

Planning documents state: “The new proposals forming this application effectively start afresh and aim to redevelop the site to provide family housing in order that this vacant brownfield site can be brought back into use.

“The site is currently an eyesore within the Kent Downs National Landscape and there are ongoing concerns regarding security.

“The proposal will provide a policy-compliant level of affordable housing let at social rent levels.”

The 44 flats previously situated in Pilgrim Spring were constructed in the late 1960s for residential use, but were found to have a number of issues worsened by its design.

As a result, more than 100 residents who lived inside were rehomed, with the last moving out in January 2018.

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The blocks were knocked down nine months later and the site has been vacant ever since.

A decision on the application will be made by planning officers at FHDC.