Developers behind a multi-million-pound seafront complex are using hawks to scare seagulls away from the new luxury homes.

The birds of prey have been spotted at the eye-catching Shoreline Crescent site on Folkestone beach.

Those behind the scheme say the hawks deter seagulls from nesting on the development of 84 flats and 20 townhouses – many of which have rooftop terraces.

But one local bird control company believes the exercise is fruitless as the gulls will eventually set up home regardless.

“Once the hawks are gone, give it one or two hours and the seagulls will just be going about their business again,” said Dean Stewart, of Ashford-based Kent Bird Control Services.

“They’re determined birds, so the only way to stop them nesting is a physical barrier, otherwise they’ll just do what seagulls do.

“The homes have been built in their territory, so it has to be expected

“You can’t build on a beach and be surprised there are seagulls everywhere. It’d be like building next to Charing Cross and not expecting any train noise.”

Former Saga boss Sir Roger De Haan heads the company behind Shoreline Crescent, where homes range in price from £430,000 to £2.1million.

Construction is nearing completion and the first residents have started to move in, with more expected in the coming weeks.

A man who photographed one of the hawks this week believes the influx of people will attract more gulls.

“Once people move in and introduce food, the seagulls will be back in abundance,” he said.

“You can't expect to build this close to the sea and not expect nature to also want to take up residence.”

Folkestone Harbour and Seafront Development Company (FHSDC) - which is leading the project - says the hawks have been used since building work started.

“Seagull nesting prevention measures, of which flying a hawk as a deterrent is part, have been in place since the beginning of the construction phase,” a spokesman said.

“This is in place to prevent seagulls nesting on the site, at which point they can become territorial, which leads to aggressive and disruptive behaviour.”

The Kent Wildlife Trust described the use of hawks at Shoreline Crescent as a “rather short-term solution to the issue”.

A spokesperson added: “We would always work towards coexisting with the wildlife around us where possible.”

Folkestone was recently named the best place to live in the South East by The Sunday Times and has already become a hotspot for DfLs (Down from Londoners) wanting to live by the coast.

But last year people from the capital looking to move to the town were warned of the “constant squawking” and “sleepless nights” caused by seagulls.

Lynn Barrett-Smith, who lives in the harbour area, posted a video on Facebook highlighting the daily struggles of dealing with the noisy birds.

She said: “The birds have just as much of a right to be here as us.”

One DfL, Avyona Cripps, replied: “We're often listening to them at 2am! It's never-ending.

“We chose to live here though, so fully accept the squawking and pattering on the roof at all times. We were used to constant sirens in London and now we're used to the gulls.”

The Shoreline Crescent complex is the first phase of an overall masterplan for the town’s coastline, which will eventually see 1,000 homes line the entire beach from the Leas Lift to the harbour arm.

It made headlines last year after emitting banshee-like wailing sounds in high winds.

It appeared to come from the wind hitting the building, with neighbours saying it could be heard “50-60ft away”.

Last month, national publication Private Eye also took aim at the project, awarding it the inevitable accolade of ‘Worst Building of 2023’.

FHSDC brushed off the unwanted accolade saying “taste is a matter of opinion”.