Rehashed proposals for a seafront development once described as “barking mad” are set to include even more flats.

Developer Jamie Copland hopes to boost the amount of homes from 10 to 15 at his new block in Belgrave Road, Margate, which incorporates a 100-year-old building.

Thanet District Council (TDC) approved Mr Copland’s 10-flat vision in March 2023 when, after his initial proposals were previously labelled “garish” and “barking mad”, he went back to the drawing board.

Yet now, the developer says, the green-lit controversial modern design has become “too expensive” to roll out – and more flats are needed to make the project viable.

Planning agent Clive Tidmarsh said: “We just wanted to try to make it a more viable scheme.

“The problem with the original scheme is it was proving too expensive, we just can’t make the numbers work.

“It’s a good site, it’s crying out for redevelopment, unfortunately as soon as you do a modern design it divides opinion which is why we’ve tried to sort of make it a little bit more sympathetic.”

In fresh papers lodged with the council, the developer argues the block could be “a new landmark building” capable of acting act “as a catalyst encouraging further new development and improvements within the immediate area”.

The site’s proposed development has been a long-running saga.

The original plans had lettering above the roof front reading “the fun starts here”, but these were removed in the approved plan.

Situated above Dreamland Beds and Lobster Van Hire, the block was intended to be yellow and orange.

However, those shops both shut for good in May last year, and earlier this year revamped plans for the site were submitted.

“The building is currently vacant and boarded up,” planning documents explain.

The new plans propose to split the lower floor of the building into four self contained commercial units of about 100 m sq each.

“Above the existing ground floor level an additional three floors will be constructed providing a total of 15 two bedroom flats,” planning documents say.

A far cry from the previous plans, new CGIs show that the new building will instead be made of yellow brick with a grey finish on top.

The plans say that despite having more flats, the building will be smaller than the previously approved design.

Mr Tidmarsh added: “The market has changed from when that scheme was first visualised - property prices have stagnated a little bit even in Margate.”

He added that the four commercial units downstairs will be “more lettable” and attract more interest due to their smaller size and cheaper rents.

“People want large commercial units now on industrial estates,” he said.

It is not yet known when TDC’s planning committee will decide on the bid, but an internal target deadline of June 11 has been set by the council.