A council has postponed controversial plans to approve its own bid to build 150 homes and a leisure centre on Hythe beach front.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council said in a statement this afternoon: “The application for planning permission for Princes Parade Promenade, Prince Parade, due to be considered by the Council’s Planning and Licensing Committee on 31 July, will be considered on 16 August.”

It came within hours of the authority publishing its financial viability report on the scheme, a set of books previously kept under lock and key, which campaigners have fought to make public.

Lesley Whybrow, from campaign group Save Princes Parade, said: "We welcome the financial viability report finally being published and the council allowing it to be scrutinised by those who live in the district.

"We will be marching on August 16 at the meeting and invite people to join us."

Dr Geoff Burrell, also from Save Princes Parade, claimed keeping the ledger under wraps was unlawful and believes the council has underestimated costs.

"This is my skill-set, I did this for the government, now we have the numbers I can pick apart where the council has gone wrong.

"I am confident confident that the council have got the figures wrong and underestimated costs.

"Now I will pick this apart over the weekend and see where the errors are."

The district council is applying to itself for permission to build the leisure centre, homes, retail space and parkland on the former landfill site.

It comes after a published ecology report revealed building should begin next year on the 150 homes estate, with parkland and retail space, with Princes Parade Road being moved next to the Royal Military Canal.

The council’s ecology report shows if the plans are approved building should start next July.

A council spokesman wouldn't disclose why planning chiefs had postponed the meeting, but added: "We have been given advice that all information should be disclosed as the council is also the applicant – which includes the un-redacted viability cost appraisal."