Architects behind a controversial multimillion pound seafront development have pledged to refine the plans amid a “brutal” backlash to their original designs.

Horrified residents labelled the tower blocks that could be raised as part of the transformation of Folkestone harbour as “hideous” and compared them to something out of The Flintstones.

In July, one of the lead architects for the designs, Duarte Lobo Antunes, told Kentonline there “definitely will not be major changes to the designs”.

But the founder of A is for Architecture has confirmed they will “rethink some of the colours and materials” following the “surprising” reaction from residents.

It comes as a new computer-generated image has been released to show how the entire seafront in Folkestone is going to change – with flats and homes lining the beach all the way from the Leas Lift to the harbour arm.

Only the first phase of the regeneration - the Shoreline Crescent development - has been built so far.

But in the summer, a consultation about the remaining phases included pictures of the tower blocks destined for the harbour arm car park – which is often completely full due to the attraction’s popularity.

Now, following criticism of the designs, the designers say they will refine the plans.

In an interview with The Guardian, Mr Antunes added: “It was brutal. The planners and design review panel had been very encouraging, so the reaction came as quite a surprise.

“We are very open to feedback, so we’re looking at where we can shave off some height and make some of the streets a bit wider.”

The Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company (FHSDC) – led by former Saga boss Sir Roger De Haan – is behind the huge project, which will be the final stage of its masterplan for the town’s coastline.

The blocks near the arm would accommodate 600 new homes along with retail and leisure facilities.

Last week, the designs were mocked on the Jeremy Vine show.

Discussing the plans on his Channel 5 programme, the presenter held up an artist’s impression of what the towers could look like and asked panellists to guess what they were.

Suggestions included a Greggs pasty and a bugle.

Mr Vine said: “It’s like a bugle. What is that? Anyone know what that is?

“It’s drawn criticism because it looks like something from the Flintstones or a doner kebab. Actually looking at that I’m starting to feel a bit peckish.”

One of Mr Vine’s guests on the show, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, described the design as “horrible” and lamented the lack of green space visible in the design.

However, Mike Parry, another guest, expressed interest in purchasing one of the flats should they go ahead.

Despite first comparing it to a “caveman-like dwelling”, he said: “I think it looks great.

“I think it looks much better than your standard rectangular block of flats.

“I think it’s very attractive and if I had the opportunity I would buy one. I’d be proud to own a place like that.”

One Folkestone resident, Georgina Baker, has started a petition to “block the blocks”, which she describes as “monstrous”.

“I have been to both previous consultations and I feel like I am saying the same thing again – beyond the sheer scale of the buildings and the shadows they will throw into the harbour, there is absolutely no flow to the designs,” she said.

“Why are all of the buildings so incredibly different? One looks like a bongo drum and another like a hornet’s nest!

“There’s absolutely no flow and none of them go with the harbour aesthetically.”

The petition, which was launched at the end of June, now has over 7,500 signatures.

Following the feedback from residents at the public consultations, FHSDC has confirmed it is now in the process of “refining the designs”.

Paulo Kingston-Correia, general manager at FHSDC, said: “We have recently completed the consultation process for the harbour plan, which is Plots F, G & H in the overall masterplan for Folkestone harbour and seafront.

“Following the consultation, we are now in the process of refining our designs in response to the feedback received. The designs are currently being updated within the already approved parameters.”

In an interview with KentOnline in June, Sir Roger De Haan insisted he was not trying to "gentrify" Folkestone - but admitted his new luxury seafront flats would likely be eyed up by wealthy Londoners.

During a look inside the new homes at Shoreline Crescent it was revealed the townhouses will be valued at £1.8 million - while the price tag of the top penthouse could rise to as much as £3 million.

Sir Roger also revealed that any prospective buyers will be banned from turning the properties into Airbnbs, which had been a major concern of locals.

Frustrated residents also believe bosses behind the development should have stuck with "far more subtle" designs unveiled eight years ago.

Opponents to the plans say designs shown in 2015 were “much more in keeping with the area” than the latest images revealed at the public consultation.

Mark Hourahane, vice-chairman of the New Folkestone Society, described the current concepts as “alien to Folkestone".