Residents fear the landscape of their town could be “changed forever” as plans were revealed for the latest stage of a multi-million pound seafront development.

A public consultation was held last week about the huge blocks of flats proposed to be built on the car park at Folkestone harbour arm – which would see hundreds of spaces lost.

The scheme is the final stage of the masterplan for the town’s coastline put forward by developer Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company’s (FHSDC) – led by philanthropist Sir Roger De Haan.

In addition to the new homes, 10,000 sq m of leisure, hospitality and retail space is planned.

The plans will see homes fill the space currently used as a car park – which is often completely full – for the hugely popular harbour arm.

Speaking to KentOnline at the consultation event at Customs House on Friday, Mark Hourahane, vice chairman of New Folkestone society, believes a lot of work needs to be done before the development can go ahead.

“Parking is going to be a massive issue. They are going to be losing about 560 parking spaces when they build on this,” he said.

“There is no hard and fast promise at this stage about how may car parking spaces there will be for tourists.

“In the summer, the streets and this car park are always full.

“Where are all the tourists going to park? We could end up losing out on visitors to the town because of this.”

Mr Hourhane is also concerned about how the harbour is going to look once everything has been built – particularly the height of the tower blocks in comparison to nearby hotel, The Burstin.

“The heights of the buildings on the car park are very high,” he said.

“We are talking about them being as high as The Burstin.

“These are going to the change the landscape of Folkestone forever.

“You are going to lose so many nice views. Making this a housing estate on the beach, you are going to lose out on tourism.”

FHSDC says the maximum height of the buildings will be 41.5 metres (136 ft), which is about the height of nine double-decker buses stacked on top of each other.

The developer has already secured outline planning permission for the heights of the proposed buildings and to build up to 1,000 new homes.

The firm has invested millions to completely overhaul the area, which has included renovating the arm, harbour station and surrounding walkways.

Lifelong Folkestone resident Georgina Baker is worried her hometown’s “lovely sea views” could be spoilt by the new buildings.

“Looking at the architecture, I don’t think it’s pleasing on the eye,” she said.

“One of the buildings set for right at the end of the harbour is a real blot on the landscape – it reminds me of The Burstin!

“There seems to be a real mish-mash of designs. I don’t want it to spoil our lovely sea view.

“I’m not against progression at all. I just want Folkestone to look beautiful for years to come.”

At the public consultation, architect Jack Taylor spoke to KentOnline about some of the issues residents had with the plans.

He says FHSDC is fully aware of the parking concerns and are working hard to ensure it will be resolved, including looking at alternative sites on the seafront for people to leave their cars.

“We have averaged on a positive and negative reaction so far today,” he said.

“Concerns about parking has been the biggest issue raised so far.

“The client is aware of this and we are working towards how we can retain and/or increase the amount of parking we have.”

He also pointed out that outline planning permission for the height of the buildings had been signed of by Folkestone and Hythe District Council in 2015.

Despite the concerns raised, a number residents expressed their excitement at the public consultation.

Alan Rees, who is now retired, thinks the development is “exactly what Folkestone needs”.

“I think it’s really good! It adds modern influence to the harbour whilst keeping traditional streetscapes,” he said.

“It’s exciting. I think this is what Folkestone needs to make it a destination centre,” said the 65-year-old.

“My only concern is going to be the price of these new homes. They are likely to be too expensive for many local residents.

“But overall I think this could be great for the town.”

KentOnline revealed last month how the cheapest one-bed flat at the nearby Shoreline development – which also comes under FHSDC’s umbrella – will be priced at £475,000.

Restaurants, food and drink trucks, mini golf, a champagne bar, vintage market and an outdoor cinema screen are already installed on the harbour arm, with millions of people visiting each year.

Areas such as Beachside, Harbourside and the Goods Yard - which host different food outlets on and around the attraction - are also due to be updated.

Matthew Jones, chair of New Folkestone society, was also impressed by what he heard at the consultation and thinks the scheme has taken great steps forward.

“I just don’t want people to lose sight of the historic element of the harbour,” he said.

Mr Jones belives that having the nearby Leas Lift in full working order could be key in making the plans a success.

The run-down site has been closed since 2017, but is set to be brought back to life through a series of repairs and renovations.

Mr Jones added: “We need clear information on parking. We can’t have people come down here and then have nowhere to park.

“I think having the harbour lift in working order is key to the development. Having that as a mode of transport would be perfect for this new phase in the town.”

A full detailed planning application for the harbour arm proposals is set to be submitted to Folkestone & Hythe District Council by September.