Divisive plans to bring a former theatre back to life and build 91 luxury apartments above it have been given the go-ahead.

At a meeting last night, the application to renovate the run-down Leas Pavilion in Folkestone was described as a "last chance saloon" before members of Folkestone and Hythe District Council's (FHDC) planning committee voted to approve the plans.

It means the pavilion, which runs along The Leas and was previously an Edwardian tearoom, theatre and nightclub, will now be restored to its former glory.

A staggering £4million is estimated to be spent making repairs both inside and out.

To foot this bill, a nine-storey apartment block will be built above and around it, with the sale of the homes contributing towards the cost of the rejuvenation project.

Once complete, it is planned the pavilion, which will form the main entrance to the new flats and include concierge, would also be used by the community for a variety of performances.

The planning application was submitted by developers Kantion, who will now purchase the site from current owners Churchgate.

Designs for the scheme have come from Hollaway architects, based in Hythe .

During the meeting, a resident spoke against the plans, and said the new build would 'dwarf and dominate' the pavilion, which is sunken into the ground.

He also objected to the restrictions placed on the use of the pavilion as a community space, which mean it can not be used more than 100 days a year and have noise levels limited to 90 decibels maximum.

In addition, the venue would only have capacity for 100 people.

He said: "It is sad to see the word's first music town losing a venue.

"This is being sold to us as last and only option [to save the pavilion] when really it is the most profitable."

Folkestone was named the world's first music town in 2019 after the district formally recognised music as an asset of value capable of boosting economic growth, tourism, and health and wellbeing.

Cllr Laura Davison (Lab), ward member for the area, also spoke and said she has received many objections from residents, who are concerned over the scale and design, the loss of daylight, loss of parking and the lack of affordable housing.

Cllr Nicola Keen (Lab) said the block "sticks out like a sore thumb" and feared the use of the community space could be restricted down the line.

Cllr Jackie Meade (Lab) said she felt like the pavilion was being put to "ransom" and said the plans needed a lot more work.

But Cllr Philip Martin (Con) said the town had been waiting years for someone to save the pavilion and now that someone has come along he is "disappointed" people are against it.

Cllr David Wimble (Ind) added: "No one else is going to come and rescue this building.

"This could be a real landmark building for Folkestone.

"It's almost a last chance saloon. If we delay much further we could lose the building."

He added if the scheme was rejected the developers might change their minds and that it would be "a sorry state of affairs if we don't save the pavilion".

The application was approved with six votes in support, three against and three councillors abstaining.

The Leas Pavilion, also known as the Leas Club, was first built in 1902 and has served as a tearoom, theatre, bowling alley, snooker hall and nightclub over the years.

It closed in 2007 and has since fallen into major disrepair, suffering with water damage and timber decay .

Owner Churchgate was previously granted planning permission to overhaul the site into a health club with 68 flats but missed the deadline.

Last year, FHDC issued a legal repairs notice to them listing six pages of works necessary to protect the dilapidated building.

Kantion and Hollaway revealed their plans to overhaul the pavilion and create the flats above it earlier this year .

As part of the scheme, the Grade II listed pavilion will sit below the new glass-fronted apartment block , and will form the entrance for residents and will include concierge, a clockroom, space for archives and storage space.

The main hall will also be used by community groups for events and activities such as musical performances, lectures or theatre performances, for example.

The decisions on who uses it and when would fall on a trust, which would be formed by residents, a representative of the Friends of the Leas Pavilion, a council member and an immediate neighbouring resident.

Residents in the new flats will also pay a service charge each year to ensure the upkeep of the space.

The apartment block would rise to a total of nine storeys - five full storeys, with setbacks to the upper four storeys - and would stand at 32.6 metres high.

It will be created on either side of the pavilion - incorporating the two existing car parks in Cheriton Place and Longford Terrace - as well as ‘bridge’ across it.

The new apartments would all have sea views and will sit upon a terracotta plinth, which seeks to replicate the character of the existing building, which is covered in terracotta tiles.

As part of the restoration plans, these terracotta tiles, which have cracked over the years, as well as the Art Nouveau stained glass windows on the front facade, are due to be repaired.

A total of 65 car parking spaces are planned, less than one space per apartment, and no social housing is to be included.

It was previously revealed that British actors Sir Ian Mckellen - of Lord of the Rings - and Miriam Margolyes - from Harry Potter - had submitted objections on the council’s planning portal to the scheme.

It is not known when work will start on the site.

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone