Plans have been submitted for a council’s radical multimillion-pound scheme to revamp a town centre bus station - despite fears it will encourage drug users and anti-social behaviour.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) is looking to transform Bouverie Square, with images of the proposed scheme showing swathes of green space, a pond, cycle paths and seating areas.

But objectors say the suggested changes will prove to be a “nightmare” for residents.

The ambitious proposals are part of the A Brighter Future project for Folkestone, which is being funded by £20 million from the government’s Levelling Up Fund.

Under the proposals, the central bus station will be turned into a public park and the stops moved.

Two will be located at the site of existing bus stops outside the new park, in Middelburg Square, and the others in a linear style down the hill towards Shellons Street, close to the Bouverie Place shopping centre entrance.

And while Jenny Barraclough, from Shepway Active Retirement Association, agrees the current bus station needs work, she does not understand the reasoning behind the move.

She said: “It’s going to make things very inconvenient because now the elderly, disabled and young mums are going to have to walk all the way down that hill to get a bus.

“It’s so much further to carry bags of shopping. It’s just going to be a nightmare.

“It does need some TLC because it’s been let down, and it has got in a bit of a state but everyone I speak to, young and old, all agree that it's a stupid place to put it - no one will know where to get their buses.

“We’ve got The Leas, Kingsnorth Gardens, the coastal park, why do we need another park in the town centre?

“It’s going to be full of drunks and druggies at night, and it’ll be a right mess. We simply don’t need it.”

FHDC says there will be CCTV and lighting incorporated into the design for the new park.

The authority also plans to make changes to the route from Folkestone Central railway station and revamp the road layout of nearby Middelburg Square to accommodate the relocated bus stops.

The northern arm of Middelburg Square, which is currently one-way, would become two-way with the aim of improving the flow of traffic.

This will come with the introduction of a 20mph speed limit from the junctions of Cheriton Road and Cheriton Gardens, through Middelburg Square and onto Shellons Street.

Designs for the scheme were first revealed last year, but the application has only just been submitted. So far, 11 objections have been lodged on FHDC’s planning portal, with none in support.

Objector Jacqueline James said: “The bus station has served its purpose for many years, and I see no reason to close it.

“We don’t need another park, especially as it be another “no go” area of Folkestone after dark.

“This will be a waste of money which be better spent improving the overall appearance of the town.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal

Despite concerns raised, bosses at FHDC say the plans will breathe new life into the “heart of Folkestone”.

Cabinet member for district economy, Rich Holgate, said: “This scheme - and particularly the change of use for Bouverie Square - has been long in the making.

“With the support of government funding, we are now in a position to deliver this transformational upgrade as part of the Folkestone A Brighter Future project.

“The project is an ambitious and exciting scheme that will transform the heart of Folkestone.

“Further public engagement will take place in the coming months once final details about the delivery programme for the project are available to be shared.”

A decision is expected by FHDC later this year.

Other schemes listed under the A Brighter Future project include opening up space in Sandgate Road for markets and outdoor events, and improving access through town along Guildhall Street and Shellons Street.

Further changes are proposed to improve pedestrian crossings at Folkestone Central Station and Radnor Park.