Thirty-eight new homes will be built at a former hospital, despite concerns the development will be 'overbearing'.

Even though some councillors raised concerns, planning permission has still been approved to create 19 houses and 19 apartments on land surrounding Folkestone's former Royal Victoria Hospital.

Planning permission was previously granted at the end of 2019 to build a further 18 apartments within the main hospital building, which has fallen into disrepair after its last ward closed in 2006.

Work has already started on site, in Radnor Park Avenue, including some outer buildings being demolished.

The new houses, a mix of four and five-bed homes, will sit behind the main hospital building in a crescent shape, with a row of terraced houses in the middle.

The apartment block - which will include a mix of one and two-bed flats - will sit at the front of the site, next to the main hospital building and face the road and Radnor Park.

Parking and access is also included for the scheme, which has been put forward by developer Leo Griggs with designs from Hollaway architects.

During Folkestone and Hythe District Council's (FHDC) planning meeting, objections and concerns about the development were raised.

One man, speaking on behalf of the residents from Radnor Park Gardens, said the scheme will be overdeveloped and voiced fears about the height of the houses and their proximity to existing homes.

Folkestone Town Council also described the development as 'overbearing'.

But Cllr David Wimble (Ind) called the homes 'much needed'.

The scheme was approved with seven votes in support and four against.

During the same meeting, held on Tuesday night, plans for an adjacent site in Radnor Park Road were also discussed by councillors.

This scheme, also being proposed by Leo Griggs, will see 14 flats built in two blocks and would link to the new development on the hospital site.

One of the blocks would be four storeys high and contain eight flats, each with two bedrooms, a bathroom and an open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner.

The second block, at three storeys high, would sit behind this one and contain six flats - four one-beds, and two two-beds.

A communal garden would sit between the two buildings and include cycle storage space, soft landscaping and open space for leisure purposes, but no parking is proposed.

All homes are due to be affordable housing.

This scheme was also approved, with eight votes in support, two against and one abstention.

It is understood FHDC is already holding discussions to buy the flats from the developer upon completion, in its capacity as a social landlord.

All in all, between these two developments and the one granted permission last year for the main hospital building, 70 new homes will be built.

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