Work to build 93 beach huts and transform a seafront car park into a watersports venue and visitor centre will start next year.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) submitted plans to revamp Coast Drive car park in Greatstone into a leisure destination for residents and tourists.

The application features plans for public toilets, changing rooms, a cafe and an education space.

Beach huts painted in a spectrum of colours are also included, lining a 175m stretch of the coast.

The scheme was considered at a planning meeting on Tuesday, which saw them waved through.

Now, the district council has revealed it hopes to start work next year and intends to open the site ready for the 2026 season.

Documents submitted with the proposal read: “The Marsh coastal areas are much loved throughout the summer season and welcome large numbers of tourists.

“These coastal areas are important as they provide recreational space to both residents and visitors.

“The proposal to include 93 beach huts will help address the high demand there is in the Folkestone and Hythe district, which currently has a waiting list of 700 residents for these facilities.”

But there were fears the new development will attract inconsiderate day-trippers.

One resident wrote on the council website: “I cannot see how this will bring any benefit to the local community. It will create more pressure on our already overstretched facilities.

“There is already not enough parking and local people will suffer day trippers parking inconsiderately and very often illegally or dangerously as they already occasionally do in the summertime.

“Who is going to clear up after these people?”

A similar proposal with slightly more beach huts was initially considered by FHDC in December 2022.

Town councillor David Wimble (Independent) supported the revised plans, adding only residents should be prioritised for leases of the much-sought beach huts.

“I think it is a great idea and I am 100% behind it,” Cllr Wimble said.

“It will be a fit-for-purpose visitor centre with a decent car park and the cafe shop will also be good for tourism.

“I do think however that local people should be given first refusal on the beach huts.”