Work on the major redevelopment of a listed building which will include 91 luxury flats overlooking the sea has resumed.

The pause on construction work at the site of the Leas Pavilion in Folkestone was announced at the end of October while additional “approvals” for the project were sought by developers.

Now, campaign group Friends of the Leas Pavilion (FLP) has confirmed work on the site has now “recommenced” following the stoppage on site for about a month.

Groundworks and the erection of two towering stair cores have been completed for the project on The Leas, where eventually sea-view apartments will rise above the cliff-top promenade.

The long-anticipated project has been sold as the best hope for preserving the Grade II-listed building, which was originally built in 1902 as an Edwardian tea room.

A spokesperson for FLP said: “Work had to be halted for a brief period due to what we understand to be administrative matters.

“Work has now recommenced and hopefully will continue unabated.”

Developers for the site, Gustavia, previously explained the approvals required are “in line with building regulations” but declined to specify from which authorities these were being sought.

Items of equipment were removed from the site, which overlooks the English Channel, as they are no longer required following the completion of the groundworks.

Gustavia says work continued off-site, including the construction of the new building’s structural frame and the cleaning and repair of around 2,400 blocks which make up the original building’s distinctive terracotta façade.

The Leas Pavilion later became a home for repertory theatre, with its last ever performance taking place in August 1985.

It then became the Leas Club, a bar with pool and snooker tables, and even a small ten-pin bowling alley.

Financing the restoration of the site is being enabled by the residential scheme above.

Tasked with turning this vision into a reality is the team at architects Hollaway Studio, which is behind many Folkestone projects such as the harbourside Rocksalt restaurant and the F51 skate park.

Residents of the new development - which will feature a gym, car parking and a concierge service - will be able to use the communal space on days when it is not booked out for use by the community.

Prices for the smallest one-bedroom flats start at around £325,000, with significantly larger penthouses set to cost would-be residents in the region of £3 million.

Gustavia was approached for a comment regarding the continuation of the works but has yet to respond.