Fresh images show a council’s radical multi-million-pound plan to revamp a beleaguered bus station into a town centre park.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) today revealed new-look CGIs showing swathes of green space, a pond, cycle paths and seating areas in Bouverie Square.

The authority has successfully bid for almost £20 million in Government Levelling-Up cash for the project, which would also see road networks reconfigured.

FHDC plans to make drastic changes to the route from Folkestone Central railway station and revamp the road layout of nearby Middelburg Square to accommodation bus stops.

It comes as the council has announced the dates for its third engagement event with residents in the town and visitors will be able to experience an “exciting virtual reality ride”.

Attendees will get to experience the next phase of ambitious proposals for Folkestone town centre with the help of interactive technology, the authority says.

The new-look CGI’s shows how the bus station could be turned into a green space for residents and includes seating areas, cycle paths and a host of trees and plants.

The ambitious proposals are part of the Folkestone – A Brighter Future (FABF) project which is funded by government Levelling Up money.

Cllr Rich Holgate, Cabinet Member for the District Economy, said: “We’ve already made major changes to the plans based on previous feedback so it’s clear that local views really do matter to us.

“The proposed changes will radically change the look of the town centre so please pop in to let us know what you like or dislike about the plans.

“Your feedback is essential to help us refine the scheme to make it work better for the community.”

Detailed designs for phase one of the project will be unveiled at the public engagement, with the opportunity to see the changes from Station Approach down Cheriton Road and onto Middelburg Square in virtual reality.

The sessions will be run from 1pm – 7pm on Friday, March 8 and 11am – 4pm on Saturday, March 9 at Folkestone town hall.

The plans will also be displayed on boards at the event.

Simon Mabey from Digital Urban, creators of the virtual reality tour, said: “We’re so glad that this playful and immersive technology is boosting engagement for these events.

“The Council is showing national leadership in using virtual reality to engage with a wider demographic of their community.

“These are major changes planned so it is wonderful to be able to provide a tangible experience for local people to experience them before they are set in stone.”