Plans for a major multi-million pound investment to regenerate Folkestone's old town have today been revealed.

The renovations will result in 13 new spaces to be used as offices, cafes, shops and education use and expected to be finished in time for the start of the next Triennial in 2017.

The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust announced a £7 million development for the old town around the Creative Quarter.

Work is expected to begin this autumn subject to planning permission being granted.

As part of the project it is expected a further 24 residential properties - some with roof terraces - will be created.

These are proposed to be made up of small houses, flats and some with their own studio spaces to rent to tenants.

Many of the buildings have presented a huge challenge for the trust regarding deciding what to do with them due to their poor state of condition.

They have been left neglected for years and in many cases have been repaired badly causing structural issues, the trust said.

The future of the quarter and Folkestone's regeneration is at the heart of the trust's aims.

Project Director Gabrielle Wilson from the trust said: “We have an excellent team of professional designers working to create imaginative and durable buildings which will be very attractive to creative people wanting to relocate to Folkestone.

"All these buildings should be ready by the time of the next Triennial Exhibition in 2017.”

Planning permission has already been sought for work to two buildings in Tontine Street.

As the Folkestone & Hythe Express revealed in March, a planning application was submitted to Shepway District Council to demolish the inside of 11 Tontine Street behind the 'gap'.

This was the first step in the series of developments unveiled by the trust today.

The plans for a four and five storey mixed use building comprising flats, retail, business, cafe and bar space have now been approved by the council. It also includes retaining the facade of 69 Old High Street.

A second planning application for rebuilding a two and three storey building further up Tontine Street was submitted last month and is expected to be decided in August.

The proposals also contain amendments to the orientation of the buildings which currently back on to Payers Park.

"This is a significant step for the ongoing regeneration of the Creative Quarter, the most extensive work since the renovation of The Glassworks nearly 10 years ago" - Architect Gordon Abbott

The trust says it intends to "re-orientate the buildings towards Payers Park" which underwent a £1.5m investment and complete overhaul ahead of last year's Triennial.

Architect for the project Gordon Abbott, of firm Pringle Richards Sharratt, said: "This is a significant step for the ongoing regeneration of the Creative Quarter, the most extensive work since the renovation of The Glassworks nearly 10 years ago.

"It’s a pleasure to have the opportunity to bring these lost buildings to life again and offer great spaces for people to enjoy.

"Tackling these buildings creates benefits not just for future tenants, but also for those who live in and visit the area – improving pedestrian connections and the urban fabric of the quarter."

The trust added the buildings would be designed drawing from the "heritage of the conservation area".

The Creative Foundation, which runs the quarter, will take ownership of the buildings when they are completed.

It offers accommodation and work space to tenants on peppercorn rents and already has 94 buildings in its portfolio with over 300 tenants.