Work has started on the site of a former medical factory which once employed more than 500 people, with a housing estate and care home set to be built.

The divisive plans, which were approved in May, will see 86 homes and a 66-bed care home built on the Smiths Medical plot, between Boundary Road and Fort Road in Hythe.

Enabling works have commenced in the past few weeks with the main residential and care home construction works beginning in September.

The care home will 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 and comprised of offices and research and development facilities. The campus shut down in 2017 and was demolished two years later.

In May, the transformative plans for the site were given the green light by Folkestone & Hythe District Council (FHDC) planning officers.

Mike Hearn, who lives directly opposite the site in Fort Road, previously told KentOnline that he is in favour of the development, which will have 30% affordable homes, 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.

Managing director of New Roddy Homes, John Roddy, said: “The main focus for phase one is delivering the 26 affordable homes on the scheme to the local community as soon as possible.

“As part of our community initiative, we are helping our neighbours Hythe Town FC with some upgrade works around their grounds.”

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

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