A popular seafront boardwalk is to be extended by 100 metres after plans were given the green light.

Folkestone Harbour and Seafront Development Company (FHSDC) revealed its bid to lengthen the well-used coastal trail across the former Rotunda site last month.

The move has now been approved by Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) after no objections were received from residents.

FHSDC will create two new sections of boardwalk on either side of the controversial Shoreline flats development.

Each new walkway will be between 30m and 50m and connect to the existing path in Lower Sandgate Road.

The boardwalk is currently 800m long and runs along the former Rotunda site, linking the Leas Lift area with the former Folkestone Harbour station.

FHSDC says the extension will benefit Shoreline homeowners as well as visitors using the popular harbour arm.

Planning documents submitted with the application read: "The proposed two sections of temporary boardwalk will provide direct and ease of pedestrian access from the highway adjacent to the Shoreline development to the existing main boardwalk.

"It is considered the proposal will provide a sustainable link for the residents of Folkestone and tourists.

"The boardwalk will improve the use and visual appearance of what is an informal public space.

"[It] has been designed using traditional materials of reclaimed hardwood sleepers.

"These have been chosen to mirror the timber used in the existing main boardwalk, which was chosen to reflect Folkestone’s railway heritage and the link to the harbour station."

Bosses say the new sections will be temporary for a period of up to eight years.

When asked what the company plans to do with the boardwalk after that period, a spokesperson for FHSDC replied: "We are pleased to be creating a link-up to the main boardwalk from Marine Parade giving visitors a direct means of accessing our popular beach boardwalk.

"The application is temporary for up to eight years as the section for the link boardwalk is within the seafront development masterplan.

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"[This] envisages the sections between building plots including publicly accessible points to the beach and main boardwalk and shingle gardens.

"Therefore, this is a temporary enhancement until the permanent enhancement to Folkestone Harbour and Seafront.”

Shoreline is the first phase of an overall masterplan for the town’s coastline, which could eventually see 1,000 homes line the entire beach from the Leas Lift to the harbour arm.