A dad has told of his pride after his plans to turn a prime town centre building into 32 apartments - renamed in memory of his son - were approved.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s (FHDC) planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the proposals to redevelop run-down Queens House, on the corner of Guildhall Street and Sandgate Road, Folkestone.

Developer William Brown, 35, says footfall will be boosted when the new residents move in, which is “exactly what the area needs”.

KentOnline previously reported how some traders in this part of the town feel “forgotten” while the trendier harbour area thrives.

The block will be called ‘Master William’s Place’ in memory of his seven-year-old son William Brown Jr, who died after being hit by a car in December.

The building, above the Bonmarché clothing store and neighbouring shops, has been boarded up for the past year.

But after Mr Brown purchased the site in August he said it was time to regenerate the eyesore former office block.

Plans had previously been approved to convert the “underutilised and unloved” site into 27 high-quality flats, with some boasting sea views.

But last year work stopped, leaving many residents worried about its future.

Councillors approved the re-cladding of the site and adding five extra flats above the existing building at a meeting on Tuesday.

Mr Brown says he can now “crack on” with the development.

“If two people live in each flat that's going to bring 64 people to the town centre,” he said.

“This volume of people in the high street is exactly what the area needs.

“I'd say I'm around 40% complete but now we've had that consent granted we can really crack on with the exterior and get the scaffold down.

“I've signed the performance agreement so I've got to have the exterior done by March 28. It’s going to look lovely.”

The 32 apartments will comprise one- and two-bedroom properties and will be available to rent.

He wants the new homes to be for “local people” and says they will be affordable due to their size and location.

Mr Brown, who opened a dessert parlour called Will Brown Jr’s in Sandgate Road in April, believes the redevelopment of Queens House is “essential” for the high street.

“I'm really proud to do this for my son,” he added.

“If you stand on the top of Queens House you can see the The Church of St Mary and St Eanswythe where Will is buried.

“Everyone's been really positive in the town about it and I feel like Will's in some way with me, pushing me on to get it done.”

William was laid to rest on January 13 at The Church of St Mary and St Eanswythe, a place he would often go to play with his friends.

King Charles granted special permission for William to be buried at the historic graveyard which had been shut for burials since 1855.

Hundreds of mourners attended, with many lining the streets for the funeral procession through Folkestone, while 10,000 people tuned in to a live stream shared on KentOnline.

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Stewart Powell was arrested in Dymchurch 24 hours after the tragedy on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by careless driving, failing to stop at the scene of a collision and perverting the course of justice.

In July, he was spared jail when he appeared at Folkestone Magistrates Court.

An inquest in September heard Mr Powell would have only had a split-second to react before the “unavoidable” collision.