Fresh plans have been unveiled for the most significant transformation of Folkestone in decades, five months after a shock council decision blocked the proposals.

Sir Roger De Haan’s Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company (FHSDC) has submitted a revised application for the eastern section of the site along the coast, known as plots F, G and H.

The company says its new proposals include key changes directly addressing councillors’ concerns, following a narrow refusal of the previous application in January.

The vote meant the next 410 homes and 54 commercial units in the controversial development of the town’s harbour and seafront were thrown into doubt.

But now a decision on the revised plans will be made at the Folkestone & Hythe District Council (FHDC) planning committee meeting on Tuesday (June 17).

Among the most eye-catching revisions is a 50% increase in public parking provision.

The plans now include 323 public spaces, up from the previous 215, as well as the introduction of a car club aimed at reducing pressure on residential parking.

Developers have also reconfigured the shared ownership housing mix to include more three-bedroom homes as well as shifting one of the proposed buildings further away from the historic harbour station to “better respect” its heritage setting.

A spokesperson for FHSDC said: “We have listened carefully to the reasons given when our reserved matters application was refused in January, and we have responded with a new application.

“It is important to explain that the idea for a development on the harbour and the old Rotunda site was recognised a long time ago when it was included in the council’s Local Plan, as one of the strategic housing schemes for Folkestone.

“We subsequently received outline planning permission for the site in 2015.”

The spokesperson added that the scope for change under the current application is limited.

“The original permission dictated, for example, the maximum and minimum height of the buildings, and a maximum and minimum number of homes we can build, and these cannot be changed through a Reserved Matters Application.

“Any revised plans must remain within these, and other, parameters.”

Despite these restrictions, FHSDC says it has worked to refine its proposals to reflect residents' concerns.

As well as changes to housing mix and parking, the application includes adjustments to the design of the buildings fronting the harbour station and a realignment of the nearest block.

In January, councillors voted 5–4 to reject the previous application, with one abstention, citing concerns about design, heritage impacts, and housing affordability.

The decision came after a dramatic three-hour debate, during which councillors struggled to find grounds for refusal that would withstand appeal.

Public opposition was widespread, with 96% of comments on the council’s planning portal objecting to the scheme.

Some compared earlier designs to something from The Flintstones, while others raised fears the development would harm views and the town’s character.

Georgina Baker, who has campaigned against the development, said at the time she was “elated and relieved” at the rejection, believing it was “not the right development for the harbour” and that the “community deserves more.”

Similar concerns were echoed by councillors and campaign groups who felt the proposals didn’t offer enough in terms of affordable housing, heritage protection or public benefit.

The revised plans now offer 53 affordable homes, all for shared ownership, which FHSDC says meets affordability needs in the area.

A spokesperson for the developer noted that the changes would unlock a “transformational set of benefits for Folkestone, socially, economically, and environmentally.”

These include £5.19 million in new Section 106 contributions for local services such as children’s play spaces, GP provision, schools, social care, libraries and youth services.

The new funding would bring the total contribution from the wider masterplan to £8.72 million.

Consultants working with FHSDC estimate the scheme will generate 760 long-term jobs, inject £21 million into the local economy each year and bring in £148 million during construction.

Annual spending by future residents is projected to top £9.4 million, while the council is expected to receive nearly £1 million a year in additional tax revenue.

FHSDC is also keen to correct what it describes as “a great deal of misinformation” around the future of historic buildings on the site.

The spokesperson added: “Ten years ago, the original outline planning permission provided for the demolition of the station, Customs House and Signal Box.

“At the time, these buildings were dangerous and inaccessible to the public.

“Sir Roger De Haan decided to restore and retain the station rather than demolish it and to prioritise its place in the development.”

FHSDC says it remains committed to maintaining the heritage assets, such as the award-winning harbour station, to a “high standard”.

The proposed redevelopment would create 7,489 sq m of commercial space, divided between leisure facilities, restaurants, bars, and retail outlets - comprising 54 units.

A redesigned Goods Yard to create an indoor food hall will house 14 permanent food stalls and an events space, with flats above the venue.

Storms during December devastated traders at the harbour arm’s outdoor Christmas market as the strong winds and downpours kept visitors away.

The masterplan also includes the 84 beachfront properties at Shoreline Crescent, which are now completed, with homes on sale for prices ranging from £430,000 to £2.1 million.

However, critics have argued that just 8% of homes in the overall masterplan will be affordable and that the development’s design remains out of keeping with the town.

Further designs for the remaining phases of the development - between the now-rejected harbour plans and the completed Shoreline phase - have not yet been finalised.

FHSDC insists the wider vision is to revitalise a derelict area and create lasting amenities.

“The vision was always about finding a new economic purpose for a redundant and severely dilapidated ferry port and about creating lasting amenities that will enrich the whole town and serve the community for generations to come,” the spokesperson added.

FHSDC says the reserved matters application is “the final piece of the jigsaw” needed to complete the transformation.