Eye-catching designs for almost 50 new homes on the grounds of a former private hospital have been revealed.

St Saviour's in Seabrook, near Hythe, closed down in September 2015 and the site has remained unused ever since.

Developers are seeking permission for the detailed designs of 47 new one, two and three-bedroom apartments on the land rising north of Seabrook Road.

Outline permission for the redevelopment of the site has already been granted, but now the look of the three new blocks making up the scheme has been unveiled.

A further four homes are also set to be housed in a converted building, which would bring the total number of new dwellings on the site to 51.

In a statement accompanying the latest reserved matters application submitted to Folkestone and Hythe District Council, the CEO of developers URECO Property, Philip Goodman, says he hopes to begin work on the new homes early next year.

He said: "The existing hospital has not been in lawful use since 2015.

"It has remained empty. We understand it closed due to financial reasons.

"It has taken seven years, with numerous aborted purchases, for the site to secure a buyer that was both willing and able to deliver a financially viable scheme.

"Previous aborted sales were due to the inability for funders to support the scheme.

"As a developer, we are looking forward to building and delivering this scheme at the earliest opportunity. We have, based on the current designs, already tendered out to contractors, and would like to see construction start in early 2023.

"This would enable us to deliver 51 new homes to the market in mid-2024."

All the 47 homes in the three new blocks will have views outwards towards the sea, with balconies to the front.

The main apartment block will be located on the former footprint of the hospital and is a five-storey building, with 31 homes across four storeys, starting on the first floor.

Two smaller blocks, of six and 10 affordable properties, will sit nearer the main road to the front of the land.

About 120 people worked at the hospital, which its former owners Spire Healthcare said would have cost too much to bring into line with other more modern facilities.

A last-ditch effort by an outside bidder to save the hospital collapsed in July 2015, and its closure was confirmed the following month.

Announcing the decision to close, Spire Healthcare chief executive Rob Roger said in 2015: "We recognise that Spire St Saviour’s’ team provide excellent patient care to the very highest standards. Spire Healthcare’s strategy is to operate modern, high-quality facilities and to invest in delivering higher acuity services.

"After a thorough assessment the Spire Healthcare Board has proposed the closure of the hospital, given the investment in infrastructure needed to bring Spire St Saviour’s in line with our other hospitals.

"This proposal has not been put forward lightly and we will work closely with our patients to ensure continuity of care at alternative locations."

A decision on the plans is expected to be made by February 2023.