Unimpaired sea views, south-facing balconies and a beach on your doorstep - it’s hard to imagine a more prime location for dozens of new luxury apartments.

They will be built along Marine Parade in Hythe and include six glass-fronted penthouses.

But before work can begin, a rundown block of flats called Pensand House - which will be transformed into the “iconic” new building - needs to be emptied.

Those currently living there - a mix of council tenants and private renters - have less than a month to get out.

Some fear they will end up homeless.

They are also concerned the new flats will not be for “local people”, while the town’s mayor admits more affordable housing is needed in Hythe.

But the developers behind The Residence project say due to changes in the property market, it is no longer tenable for them to continue renting out the flats.

KentOnline visited Pensand House last week where a huge banner advertising the new flats hangs over three balconies. Whether by the strong coastal winds or otherwise, it has been torn down the middle.

All the current residents we met requested to remain anonymous, concerned about potential repercussions for speaking out.

They showed us the eviction letter they had received.

“The court has issued a warrant or writ for the possession of the above property (land) at the request of the claimant,” it said.

“A warrant gives a county court bailiff the authority to evict you and hand over possession to the claimant.”

The notice says the eviction will take place on the morning of April 23.

“You should arrange to leave the property (land) with your belongings before this date and time,” it adds.

One tenant, who has lived in Pensand House for nine years, says the block has been left to deteriorate since an application for the project was first submitted in 2017, before being approved a year later.

"Since the plans went in, the whole building has been completely neglected,” they said.

“We have countless issues in our flat, including mould, leaks, and general appliances not working.

“We have been let down by the council and have now been given one month to find somewhere to go.

“I don’t know where me and my family are going to live.”

Another resident told KentOnline they have had “no help from the council” in finding a new home.

“A lot of people living here could end up homeless because of this,” they said.

“These new homes are not going to be for local people. They are not going to be affordable.”

Recent property sales in Marine Parade include a five-bed terraced house snapped up for £1.1 million last year and a terraced two-bed bought for £965,000 in 2021.

It is not the first time the affordability of homes in the district has sparked concern. The issue has become a hot topic following the construction of the Shoreline Crescent apartments on Folkestone’s beach, where penthouses are priced from £1.8 million.

According to Rightmove, the average property price in Hythe is £411,624, up 10% on the previous year.

Mayor of Hythe, Cllr Penny Graham, told KentOnline: "There isn’t enough affordable housing in Hythe at all. We need much more.”

She says it is a “great shame” for the residents of Pensand House that they are being forced to move out.

"Some of them have been there a while, and I do feel for them very much,” the mayor said.

“The building does look rundown but if money had been spent on it at an earlier stage, it could have been made to look much smarter."

The first phase of The Residence project has already been completed.

People living in Marlborough Court, located behind Pensand House, were evicted in 2023 and the building has since been turned into 20 new flats with views across the South Road football pitches to St Leonard's Church.

Two-bedroom apartments here are priced from £350,000, while three-beds start at £499,000. Currently, almost all of the new flats appear to be unoccupied, with neighbours telling KentOnline that only one has been moved into.

The website promoting The Residence says landlord Chelsea Portfolio Ltd first acquired Marlborough Court and Pensand House in 1996.

It adds: "At the time it was neglected and poorly managed, and we turned it around to provide 56 prime location rental apartments with an on-site manager.

"Having provided high-quality rental accommodation to the area for more than 25 years, to working tenants and those claiming benefits, we are now moving the building to the next stage.

“The rental market has changed a great deal over the years and, as we are a family-run business, it is now untenable for us to continue to let the apartments.

“The building has become tired and in need of improvement. We therefore made the decision to completely renovate it, creating a stylish and unique coastal landmark with unparalleled views of Hythe’s coast and picturesque town."

The website describes The Residence as a gated, “premier development in this sought-after location” on the coast with “luxury apartments”.

The new flats will have balconies or private patio gardens, along with high-spec interiors, including underfloor heating.

A spokesperson for Folkestone & Hythe District Council said they understand why affected residents are concerned.

They added: “We have already assisted a number of households at Pensand House.

"We would encourage others who are experiencing housing difficulties to contact our housing options team for advice and support as soon as possible."

While property prices have been rising in Hythe, the council says 26 new homes at the former Smiths medical site in Boundary Road will be “affordable”.

Twenty flats will be let to tenants on the local authority’s housing list and six new houses will be available for shared ownership.

Chelsea Portfolio Ltd was approached for a comment by KentOnline several times.

It is not yet known when work will begin on phase two of The Residence.

The website simply says "coming soon".