Construction of a new multi-million pound retirement village on the site of a former Christian holiday camp will be delayed until next year.

Plans to transform Herne Bay Court were put forward by Bethel Retirement Villages, and given planning permission by Canterbury City Council in December 2013.

But since then construction work on the £35 million scheme has yet to start, despite Bethel chairman Norbert Baumker’s hopes that it would get under way in January this year.

In a statement released this month Mr Baumker said: “We were able to complete the land purchase at the end of March. Since then, the planning for enabling works, discharge of planning conditions and mitigation of ecology measures has been in progress.

“Hoardings will soon be going up. The approved demolition of structures is scheduled for the end of this year, with construction commencing in the New Year.

“We are also reviewing our timetable to bring forward the original scheduled phase two of the development.

“Marketing and sales of the village will commence in the summer and practical completion and occupation of the first apartments is planned for the end of 2017.”

The development is set to boast 117 one and two-bedroom apartments, a specialist dementia care unit, and clubhouse facilities such as a bistro restaurant, spa, swimming pool and library.

Speaking in December last year, Mr Baumker said: “For Herne Bay it will certainly be a catalyst for regeneration and make a considerable contribution towards transforming the town.”

At that time it was announced that Bethel would pump more than £400,000 into the city council’s coffers in terms of contributions.

Council spokesman Rob Davies said £350,000 will be set aside for parks and green spaces in Herne Bay, while £51,000 will be spent on improving bus stops and a further £21,000 on librariest.

For more information on the scheme visit www.hernebaycourtvillage.co.uk.