Residents in Folkestone are waking up to fines after the number of car parking spaces near their homes were cut to accommodate a multi-million pound seafront development.

On-street parking in Lower Sandgate Road - usually free at night - and parking bays behind Marine Crescent - used by residents with paid-for parking permits - have been suspended so that work can continue creating 84 new homes on the beach.

Work on the project, part of philanthropist Sir Roger De Haan's vision for the town's coasline, started earlier this year.

The bays in Marine Crescent have been taped off for two weeks for electrical works for the scheme.

But Folkestone Town councillor Mary Lawes, member for Folkestone Harbour Ward, says nine residents - who didn't know the spaces were out of limits overnight - woke to discover a fixed penalty notice on their car on Sunday morning.

She said it is unfair people are paying for an annual parking permit but still being stung with fines: "About 15 parking spaces for people with permits have been removed.

"Notices are displayed but does not say no night time parking. There does not seem to be any alternative parking. Where are residents suppose to go?"

Currently residents pay Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) £30 a year for a permit.

But Cllr Lawes says they "are being made to pay for parking that is not being provided", adding: "Not only that, enforcement officers are targetting residents with fines."

She says around 30 on-street parking spaces have also been removed along Lower Sandgate Road, and the Lower Leas Coastal Park's car park - also usually free at night - has been cordoned off too.

But Jenner, the Folkestone-based contractor behind the scheme, says only seven parking bays have been removed behind Marine Crescent, while the spaces in Lower Sandgate Road have been closed for safety reasons, as they are very near the ongoing building works.

A spokesman for the firm said: "In order to carry out essential utility connections to serve the forthcoming development of Folkestone seafront, seven parking bays were needed to be suspended from use and this was identified as the least disruptive route to allow us to carry out these temporary works.

"The bays affected are located to the rear of Marine Crescent and are denoted as resident permit bays.

"Owing to the fact that the resident permits allow them to park in front of the Crescent and on Marine Parade we felt that the seven bays could be adequately accommodated within the local area without any penalty charges inflicted on these residents.

"And we could not put anyone’s safety at risk by allowing the bays in Lower Sandgate Road, near the construction site, to remain in operation.

"As part of our ongoing commitment to deliver the works to Folkestone seafront in the most considerate of manners, Jenner sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to local residents in the completion of this aspect of our works.

"As a reputable, longstanding contractor we always endeavour to carry out our works in the least disruptive way and felt confident that, given the adequate signage installed prior to the works, this would have overcome any potential confusion.

"Our site team are working closely with our client as well as Folkestone and Hythe District Council to find ongoing solutions to adequately accommodate the parking requirements of the local residents as well as those visiting the area and with the close of season restrictions on parking being lifted at the end of October we hope this will avoid any further inconvenience.

"We continue to thank all those who reside in the local vicinity for their ongoing patience."

A FHDC spokesman added: "We had to suspend some parking to enable the seafront development works to start.

"The works have been staggered to minimise the loss of spaces.

"We recognise the inconvenience caused by this parking suspension and are in discussions with partners to see if we can find a solution for residents to park in the area."

When complete, the seafront development will include a mix of apartments and town houses built on the shingle close to the Leas Lift and overlooking the English Channel .

Sir Roger De Haan’s Folkestone Harbour and Seafront Development Company is behind the scheme with Jenner leading the construction.

It is part of a planned 1,000-home masterplan destined for Folkestone's seaside, which will also include restaurants, cafes, shops and public spaces, and will run all the way to the harbour arm.

Last month, complaints were made to FHDC about the amount of dust coming from the development, with Jenner adding additional measures to reduce it.

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