Scores of people have rallied against plans for five-storey blocks of flats opponents say are a "modern monstrosity" which will blight their town's skyline.

Developers hope to build 36 new apartments in two blocks on the sloping Ebbor House site adjacent to Barrack Hill and London Road on the edge of Hythe town centre.

People living nearby have also expressed concerns over parking provision and the potential danger to traffic on London Road, one of the main routes into the town.

Earlier this week more than 50 people gathered at Holman's Field to coordinate their united front against the plans.

Numerous comments of opposition to the plans have been submitted to Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC), with one telling planning chiefs: "Future generations will never forgive us for leaving them with a modern monstrosity which will stick out like a sore thumb."

Crispin Davies, writing to express objection as chairman of the Hythe Civic Society (HCS), said: "The proposal is totally out of keeping with the adjoining and surrounding area.

"The proposed development will be an intrusion into the existing street scene of large turn-of-the-century detached houses with large gardens. This will lead to an adverse impact on surrounding properties.

"The height of the two blocks are not in keeping with surrounding properties and will dominate the area.

"The traffic on London Road travelling east into Hythe has a minimum speed of 30mph due to the slope into Hythe and traffic entering the site will need to cross that flow of traffic. HCS regards that as a traffic hazard."

Opposition from the civic society is also echoed by Hythe Town Council, which has opposed the plans "on the grounds that this is an over intensive development for the site, and it is not in keeping with the street scene".

Kent's director of highways and transportation has, however, dismissed concerns about the impact of the development on the local road network.

"I am satisfied that the proposed increase in traffic to the site is acceptable and is not deemed to have a negative impact on the highway network," they said in a written response to the application.