Opponents to a controversial development in Hythe have been given a boost after successfully challenging a decision to deny them a Judicial Review into the situation.

The Save Princes Parade group launched the challenge after a High Court Judge denied their application for a review on Friday November 1.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) granted itself permission for the development in August 2018

The plans would see 150 homes, a leisure centre, retail space and parkland being built on green land opposite Hythe seafront, with Princes Parade road moving adjacent to the canal.

In an 18-page document submitted to the court in September, 'Save Princes Parade' claimed that the decision to grant planning permission for the development- which could cost around £29 million- was "plainly unlawful".

Yesterday, High Court Judge Mr Justice Supperstone overturned the previous decision made by Mr Justice Lieven to deny the appeal, meaning the case will now go to a full substantive hearing.

The hearing is currently scheduled for March 2020.

'We are now confident... we should be able to stop this development once and for all...'- Save Princes Parade Spokesman

A spokesman for Save Princes Parade said: "This is a major achievement on the part of the local community.

"The decision demonstrates the strength of our claim that the planning permission granted by FHDC to themselves [for the scheme] was unlawful.

"We are now confident that when our grounds are argued in greater detail at the Judicial Review itself we should be able to stop this development once and for all.

"Were FHDC permitted to proceed with this development it would be an environmental catastrophe, as well as being contrary to the decision of Full Council on 26th June 2019 to abandon the planning application and build the Leisure Centre on Martello Lakes

"We all want a replacement for Hythe’s ailing swimming pool and it remains unbelievable that FHDC have failed to recognise that the only sensible option is to build it on Martello Lakes."

An FHDC spokesman said: “Planning applications are always considered thoroughly before a decision is reached. We are disappointed by the outcome, but the intention to defend our long-standing position remains unchanged.”

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