A boardwalk along Folkestone seafront has been approved as part of the area’s ambitious redevelopment plans.

Folkestone Harbour Company (FHC) submitted a planning bid last month for an 800m long wooden walkway on the beach.

Shepway District Council (SDC) on Tuesday approved the plans, which will join the Harbour Arm in the east and the Lower Leas Coastal Park to the west.

The walkway will be built up on the shingle starting by the Leas Lift station and ending in the harbour station, where the path splits to the upper level of the Harbour Arm and goes down the slope to the former railway track level.

After visiting the site, Louise Daniels, senior planning officer for SDC, praised the proposals in her report.

She said: “The boardwalk would enhance the appearance of the area and would have a positive impact upon the setting of the nearby conservation area.

“The proposed boardwalk is considered to be a positive change. (It) would continue the redevelopment of the harbour and the forward-looking vision for the future of the area.”

By statute, building must begin within three years. However FHC has already made preparations to begin the works.

Spokesman Peter Bettley said: “We are very pleased and the building work is on schedule, it should be completed by August. Looking at the harbour now, it’s exciting to see it all coming to fruition.

“it has been a long time in the planning.”

Once complete, the boardwalk will be 2.6m wide and built out of traditional materials including reclaimed grade A hardwood sleepers.

It has been chosen in order to “reflect Folkestone’s railway heritage and the link to the existing station” which is currently being refurbished.

Outline planning permission was granted for the seafront redevelopment but matters relating to its appearance, layout, access and landscaping have been reserved.

New planning applications relating to what the buildings will look like, roads and where buildings will be located within the development will be submitted by the end of the year.