Worried residents fear their town will be “killed off” after the controversial transformation of its harbour was approved.

Some are already considering moving away from Folkestone after multimillionaire Sir Roger De Haan’s development company's proposals got the green light last night.

Huge tower blocks - branded “monstrous” by critics - will now be built around the town’s popular harbour arm, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

After a two-hour debate on Tuesday evening, Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s (FHDC) planning committee voted through a revised application for 410 homes and 54 commercial units.

Sir Roger’s Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company (FHSDC) says the decision means it “can continue to build on the successful regeneration work of the past 10 years”.

But speaking after the meeting, resident Debbie Musselwhite told KentOnline: “They totally ignored what the people wanted.

“I think it will kill off Folkestone. It’s ignoring the town’s heritage and history.

“It’s going to be a building site for many years, and it’s such a shame.”

In January, the plans were narrowly voted down by the committee.

FHSDC then submitted revised proposals, which included a 50% increase in public parking spaces to 323. However, this is still about half of the current total of 615.

The tweaked submission also included the introduction of a car club and design alterations aimed at easing the impact on the nearby historic harbour station.

FHSDC’s masterplan, granted outline approval in 2015, allows for up to 1,000 homes and 10,000 square metres of commercial space.

The first phase, Shoreline Crescent, has already been built on the beach and includes penthouses listed at £1.8 million.

The eastern plots on the harbour discussed yesterday – known as F, G and H – form the next stage.

Campaigner Georgina Baker, who also addressed councillors during the meeting, said she felt “gutted”.

“It’s a real letdown for the community,” she added.

“Everyone wants to have a lovely space there, and this is going to be years of building site, monstrous design – it’s awful.

"If this is what the future looks like, I won’t want to live here.

“I’m sure people who move here from London and elsewhere - for the open space and the beauty of the sea - don’t want to leave one city only to arrive in another."

Rosie Percy, who runs the popular @coolasfolke Instagram account showcasing the best of Folkestone, is among those who have moved down from London (DFLs) to the town in recent years.

“I’m not against development when it’s right, but the seafront harbour and development aren’t,” she said.

“The Shoreline flats remain mostly empty, instead turned into rentals and holiday lets directly against a public promise made by De Haan.

“Rather than positive growth, I fear that this grossly misjudged plan and approval spells a future that risks reverting us back to the derelict seaside town of former glory, that De Haan’s group worked so hard to restore.

“I, among many others, will have to reconsider our long-term future in Folkestone because of it.”

During the meeting, councillors were divided.

Cllr Adrian Lockwood (Lab) made clear that their powers were limited.

“Due to the outline planning permission, we cannot block the blocks,” he said.

“These are going to be built. We love the harbour and it’s hugely successful. But I fear we’re going to lose some of the amazing things that have been done down there.”

He admitted that the improvements since January had addressed some earlier concerns and added: “I can’t see any material reasons to refuse this application and potentially subject this council to legal action.”

Cllr Jeremy Speakman (Green) also voted in favour, while expressing reservations about the visual style of the development.

“But the design guidelines show a comprehensive approach to the harbour development, and that was accepted,” he said. “Concerns that have been raised since have been addressed.

“I find no substantial ground to object to the application.”

But Cllr Laura Davison (Lab) argued the changes had not gone far enough and that the number of affordable homes, at 53, was insufficient.

Planning agent Paul Ellis, representing the developer, said the revised proposals were the product of months of consultation.

“We have increased public parking by 50%, moved residential buildings away from the harbour station, and provided a greater number of three-bedroom homes,” he told the committee.

“We’ve been working on this for 20 years – we need approval so we can continue the regeneration work.”

Mark Hourahane, another long-time critic of the scheme, acknowledged councillors faced a difficult task given the legal position.

“Obviously, I’m disappointed, but I think it was expected – sadly inevitable,” he said.

“I do appreciate the fact that on material planning matters, it was a tough decision.

“Potentially, there may have been a little bit more that could have been done, but it’s a decision they had to make.”

His concern, however, was about the long-term legacy of what is being built.

“I think this is a permanent change to the landscape of Folkestone,” he added.

“I don’t think that’s necessarily a change for the better. It is a private housing development which is not affordable to many people in Folkestone, and I’m not convinced by the tourist offering.”

But FHSDC described the result as a landmark moment for the town.

In a statement after the vote, a spokesperson said: “The approval of the reserved matters application is the final piece of the jigsaw to ensure we can continue to build on the successful regeneration work of the past 10 years.

“This vision has always been about transforming a derelict ferry port into a thriving hub for the community.

“With years of investment in placemaking and harbour restoration, this approval allows us to deliver lasting value for the town.”

The developers say the approved plans will unlock £5.19 million in new Section 106 contributions for GP services, education, libraries, children’s play areas, adult learning, and support for the Leas Lift.

They also say the project will create more than 760 long-term jobs, generate £148 million in construction activity, and bring £21 million into the local economy every year.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure real, lasting prosperity for Folkestone,” the statement added.