Parts of a former Aldi are “falling apart” and posing a “danger” to passers-by, residents have warned.

Loose guttering can be seen hanging down from the large building located on the main route through Hythe, which has been left empty for more than four years.

Calls are growing for repairs to be made to the “eyesore” site as soon as possible, as it is “an accident waiting to happen”.

Plans to turn the old supermarket, located behind the high street, into a mix of smaller shops and apartments were drawn up by developers in 2022 - with the hope of completing work in 2023.

However, an official application has not yet been submitted to Folkestone & Hythe District Council (FHDC).

Hythe resident Matthew Jones told KentOnline it is “awful” that the prime site has been left derelict for so long and is calling for urgent works to be carried out.

“The building is becoming an eyesore in the middle of a historic town,” he said.

“In the summer months, many more people will be visiting Hythe and it is such a shame the site continues to be left in such a state.

“The building is now at a point where it is dangerous for people to be near.”

In March 2022, property developers In5 Group revealed plans to demolish some existing buildings and refurbish others to allow the creation of 35 new homes and seven shops.

The firm’s website announced a planning application would be submitted in April of that year, with work starting between the winter of 2022 and the spring of 2023.

However, after proposals were branded "unacceptable" by the Hythe Civic Society, the developers took the project back to the drawing board.

Mr Jones added: “As it has now been left for so long, the people of Hythe deserve to know what is happening and the owners of the building need to open up a dialogue on its future.”

When KentOnline visited the former supermarket on Friday, several shoppers expressed their concerns over the safety of the site.

One resident, who asked not to be named, described the loose guttering on the building as an “accident waiting to happen”.

“It’s not surprising it is falling apart with how long it has been left empty,” he said.

“The guttering looks as if it could fall at any moment and hit someone's parked car – or, even worse, land on a person.”

Another, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said: “The whole building is an eyesore.

“It's about time that something was done with one of the largest buildings in our high street.”

Despite the lengthy delay, the site’s owners told KentOnline in September they still want to go ahead with their scheme.

A spokesperson said at the time: “We continue to work with various stakeholders including the Design Review Panel with a view to submitting a planning application as soon as possible.”

In5 Group and Hythe Town Council have been approached for comment.

FHDC said it had “not received any updates from the developer”.