A graffiti-covered former pub that has sat derelict for two decades will finally be demolished after plans to redevelop the site were approved.

The Two Bells in Canterbury Road, Folkestone, has been a blight on the town since closing in 2005, becoming a magnet for vandalism.

But Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) has now granted permission for the crumbling structure to be replaced by 12 flats - despite concerns over parking.

It marks the latest chapter in a long-running saga of attempts to redevelop the 1841-built pub.

While planning permission for the same number of flats was granted in 2021, it later expired due to spiralling construction costs and changes in national space standards.

Prior to that, similar applications were submitted in 2008, 2014, and 2016, but none came to fruition.

The latest application, submitted in 2023 by developer John Cullum, highlighted the building’s worsening condition.

“The existing building is in an extremely dilapidated state and in need of demolition,” wrote Blur Studio Ltd on Mr Cullum’s behalf.

“The site is currently having a negative impact on the local area and community.”

However, not everyone agreed with Mr Cullum, who will now turn the site into four two-bed and eight one-bed flats.

Five residents submitted letters of objection to the council, with the main concern being the lack of off-street parking offered at the site.

Alicia Benn commented: “When I moved into my house, Canterbury Road had parking on both sides, but now there are yellow lines up and down the road.

“I agree the Two Bells site is an eyesore but 12 flats potentially two cars each will cause issues.

Elizabeth Halstead added: “People do need to have enough parking on their own site, as the roads can't cope with any more parked vehicles.

“These plans are for too many flats, which is a common problem nowadays.

“Stop cramming people in, because you are creating future slums.”

However, the FHDC planning officer's report states the demand for car parking would be “no greater” than when the site was a pub.

The officer also noted that as parking is a “technical matter”, the objections do not trigger a referral to the planning committee.

In February this year, frustrated neighbours said the site was “attracting the wrong kind of people” and questioned why previous plans had stalled.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

The building’s poor condition has also led to legal issues.

In 2019, then-owners were fined £2,000 after environmental enforcement officers discovered the garden had become a dumping ground filled with household waste and broken furniture.

It took two days to clear the rubbish.

Meanwhile, planning permission to turn the neighbouring Royal Standard pub into three houses was approved in 2020, but the project was only half-completed.

The abandoned site went up for sale in January, and is currently under offer.