Divisive plans to build a 66-bed care home and 86 houses on a former medical factory have been approved.

The proposal will see the Smiths Medical site, between Boundary Road and Fort Road in Hythe, transformed into a housing estate - 30% of which would be affordable.

The care home is set to be two storeys in height, with the new homes ranging between two and four storeys.

Since 2019, the site has been derelict and was described as an “eyesore” in the town which has become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour.

It was formerly home to the Smiths Medical campus, which employed more than 500 people and comprised of offices, research and development facilities, before shutting down in 2017 and being demolished two years later.

Now, the plans have been given the green light by Folkestone & Hythe District Council (FHDC) planning officers.

Mike Hearn, who lives directly opposite the site in Fort Road, is in favour of the development but has raised concerns over the level of disruption it could cause.

“This is something that needs to be done,” said the 85-year-old.

“But I am worried about the awful lot of traffic disruption the building is going to cause.

“This is only a small road and we are going to have lorries coming and going all the time, it will be horrendous.”

Mr Hearn has lived in his property in Fort Road for the past two years and while he believes Hythe needs more homes, he is not confident they will be affordable.

He added: “As I live so close I am worried about how noisy the building process will be.

“But Hythe needs more homes and it would be a tragedy for the empty site to stay as it is.

“However, I’m not confident the houses will be in the price range for many of the locals.”

Developers, New Roddy Homes, previously submitted plans in 2021 for 97 homes on the site, but this was reduced to 86.

The dwellings will range from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom townhouses.

Of the 86 set to be built, a total of 26 units will fall under the affordable housing scheme.

Allocated parking will largely be issued on the plot with visitors' parking provided within the street.

Gail East has lived in Fort Road for 80 years and is also concerned about how much the new homes will cost.

She explained: “I don't see how people are going to be able to afford these townhouses.

“It will be filled with people coming down from London.

“This road is not in a very good state and it will struggle with the lorries going up and down here.

“However, I am for the development as the empty land cannot be left as it is at the moment.”

The new care home will be built on the southern part of the space, with the townhouses and flats set to create a central focal point to the site.

Furthermore, a green space is proposed which will lead eastwards to a new break in the boundary to lead into Hythe Green.

According to documents submitted by New Roddy Homes, a pedestrian route will “snake around” the final area of housing and take on a more coastal character with the introduction of planting in a shingle bed.

The care home will also incorporate a “sensory garden” with a route that starts and ends at the reception area.

Cllr Stephen Bailey (Ind), FHDC ward councillor for West Hythe, is confident the development will be beneficial for the area.

“The site at the moment is unsightly and does attract anti-social behaviour,” he said.

“The construction traffic will be a problem. But the developers are going to try and spread the load between Range Road and Fort Road to reduce the traffic.

“With the 86 homes, there will be an increase in vehicles in the area which could prove to be problematic.

“There will undoubtedly be disruption, but I think it will be worth it once it's all built.”

It is not yet known when work on the site will start.

Managing director of New Roddy Homes, John Roddy, says he is “delighted” the plans have been approved.

He said: “The site has gone through extensive expert consultation with the local authorities, local members representing the community and all relevant stakeholders during outline planning dating back to the period 2019 -2021 and the reserved matters planning process submitted by Roddy New Homes Ltd this past 16 months in relation to traffic management.

“The development layout has been designed around promoting sustainable methods of transport with the incorporation of a dedicated public cycle path through the centre of the development as an example.

“We will deliver 10% above current requirements for affordable housing.

“We don’t have any pricing for affordable or open market homes at this time given we are not officially launching the development until later in the year.

“Roddy New Homes will be engaging extensively with the local community during the construction phase which we have outlined and discussed at meetings on the site with local representatives and during our meetings with Hythe Town Council.”

Smiths Medical revealed plans to move from the Hythe site in 2006 transferring some of the roles to its site in Mexico.