Ambitious plans have been unveiled to transform a long-running golf course into a lakeside holiday destination.

New images show how a collection of two- and three-storey chalets, a children’s play park and a boating lake could be created on land currently used by Hythe Golf Club.

The site is owned by the Hythe Imperial Hotel, which sits next to the golf course in Princes Parade, and opposite the seafront.

The team at the four-star hotel claim the golf club is “no longer maximising its potential for the local tourism industry or the community”, and as a result they want to develop it.

Drawings released as part of the announcement show a number of holiday lodges surrounding a newly created lake, with visitors in rowing boats and swimming in the water.

Another image shows a large children’s play park, as well as new pathways.

Hotel bosses say they want to create “an innovative, sustainable scheme that provides a unique offering for visitors” which will in turn “revitalise the seafront” and secure the “future of the hotel”.

It is not yet known how many holiday homes will be created as part of the proposal - destined to be branded Imperial Lakes and Gardens - but more is expected to be revealed in a public consultation next month.

However, managers at the 92-bed Hythe Imperial say they are looking to “create new connections between different parts of Hythe for pedestrians and cyclists” while ensuring “the proposals are in keeping with the local area”.

New roads and public walkways are planned as part of the ambitious development, it is understood.

The hotel, which dates back to 1880, is owned by Kent-based GSE Group, which took it over in 2007. While it owns the land for the golf course, which was opened in the late 19th century, the club is run by members.

Bosses say the hotel is currently operating at “very close to full capacity”.

A spokesman for GSE Property Group said: “Tourism is responsible for almost 20% of jobs in Folkestone and Hythe, and our vision for the site will be to explore how we can enhance and diversify the offerings available at the hotel.

“We believe that an offering in this location will be unlike any other in Kent, providing unique accommodation for visitors alongside a variety of leisure and commercial offerings accessible to the community all year round.”

The expansion would not be the first for the hotel, which also hosts weddings and is home to two restaurants and a champagne bar.

In 2019, proposals were unveiled to add an outdoor swimming pool and decking area, extra spa treatment and changing rooms, a bridal suite and a gym.

Work has started on this project, but it is not known when it will be completed.

News the golf course could be developed comes just months after a controversial scheme for land further along Princes Parade was axed.

In total, 150 homes, a hotel, leisure centre, shops and open green spaces were planned for the large site, which is a former waste tip.

Following years of protests and campaigns, the project was scrapped when the new Green Party administration took over Folkestone and Hythe District Council in May.

However, hotel bosses are “keen to stress this a separate scheme” to the Princes Parade development, and they “encourage people to come to the consultation next month”.

It will be held at the hotel on Thursday, November 9, between 5pm and 8pm.

Hythe Golf Club was contacted for comment, but did not want to add anything at this time.