A discussion about a petition to keep a well-used path at Princes Parade in Hythe open turned into another debate on the controversial development.

The petition is calling for the path between Seaview Parade and the Tram Shelter to be kept open at weekends and evenings while work to build on Princes Parade continues.

There are plans to create 150 homes, a hotel and new leisure centre with a swimming pool along the coastal road, although the scheme has been long fought by protesters.

Clearance work started in 2021.

The petition was submitted to Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) - which is behind the development at Princes Parade - and discussed by members at its meeting of the full council last week (September 28).

The petition has collected 284 signatures.

The path in question was closed for several weeks during the summer, but Green ward councillors Jim Martin, Georgina Treloar and Lesley Whybrow lobbied the council to have it reopened temporarily.

The path remains open, but will be closed again when construction work starts properly - but the date of this is not known.

However, the council says that once work starts, parts of the path will be disturbed and no longer safe.

“To allow access at evenings and weekends throughout the duration of the constructions works would pose an unacceptable Health and Safety risk”, the local authority added.

The footpath will be completely gone once construction is finished, according to the council.

Ms Farrell, organiser of the petition, gave a statement during the meeting.

She said: “I want you to know that local people are angry, they’re very angry, they’re very angry that the path has been closed.

“At the time of my petition no work had been carried out for weeks if not months, and no work has been carried out since, so there was no reason to close the path.

“You have failed to understand that this path is an artery for locals and visitors to reach the seafront, it’s a mile detour to get to the Tram Shelter by any other route.”

The canalside Prince’s Parade location sits on top of a former municipal waste tip, and has been tipped as a site for development since 2012.

Plans for the land were approved in July 2019, and the development is slated to contain 150 homes, a new leisure centre, children’s play areas and green open spaces.

The plan has been mired in controversy since its inception - campaign group Save Prince’s Parade took FHDC to court for judicial review to try to stop the development, but the case was dismissed.

Ms Farrell was adamant that the project as a whole, not just the path closure, is unpopular with Hythe residents.

She said: “I have listened time and time again to councillors here saying that the people of Hythe want this project, and I and a few others are just a minority of rabble rousers.

"Well I say this to you; if you really believe this, why don’t you stand for election in Hythe?

“But I know none of you will, none of you have the guts to do that, you will just hide away in your safe wards, but dictate to the people of Hythe, who do not want this project, and who didn’t vote for you.

“People who do not want their lovely town, an ancient Cinque port, despoiled by the reckless development of Prince’s Parade.”

All of Hythe’s councillors are from the Green Party, and have opposed the development.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Jim Martin (Green) said: “I want this council to look in detail at the issues raised.

“Primarily, that there is absolutely no work going on at this site at all, none, zero. And it’s been like that for months.They put the hoarding up, and that was that.”

Some councillors said they sympathised with the petition, but did not support it.

Cllr David Godfrey (Con) said: “I do understand the inconvenience to some of the walkers who wish to use that pathway.

“But I have to say, this project is moving forward, and it is imperative that that path is closed for very clear health and safety reasons.”

Council leader Cllr David Monk (Con) added: “As for the thrust of the petition, I agree with you entirely that wherever possible we should keep it open, and I believe that we have made a decision to do that as I understand it.

“That will only be for a short space of time, because when the works do start, health and safety does have to be a priority.

“So I understand exactly where you’re coming from, where we can accommodate we will, but please be civil about your request.”

Opposition councillors were supportive of the petition.

Cllr Jackie Meade (Lab), argued: “The closing of the only path that is tarmacked is a form of discrimination, so we need to look at this and take this very very seriously.

“And as for the health and safety, I’m sorry but I am an award winning project manager within construction and I know that there are ways around this.

“So can I suggest that we actually work with the contractor to ensure that when they do start the works, that barriers can be put up which would ensure the safety of the public, but would also allow mobility impaired residents, children on their bicycles, and people with pushchairs to actually use this.”

Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee (Con) said Hythe residents she had met were supportive of the overall development.

She said: “The people that I meet in Hythe seem to be quite different.

“Yes there is a wide spread of opinion. But, I had a meeting last week with some quite prominent people in Hythe and we discussed Prince’s Parade, and they said ‘well we’re in favour of it’.”

In response to this, Ms Farrell shouted from the public seating: “Stand for Hythe and prove it!”

Cllr Tim Prater (Lib Dem), proposed a motion to refer the petition to the council’s overview and scrutiny committee, which was passed by general consensus.

The motion will go to the overview and scrutiny committee of the council on November 30.