Work on a major housing project centred around the restoration of a Grade II-listed former theatre has been halted.

The pause on construction work at the site of the Leas Pavilion in Folkestone, which developers say is only temporary, has occurred while additional “approvals” for the project are sought.

Groundworks and the erection of two towering stair cores have been completed at the site on The Leas, where eventually sea-view apartments will rise above the promenade.

A spokesman for developers Gustavia said: “It has been a busy few months at the Leas Pavilion site and it’s exciting to see restoration work progressing so positively.

“There is a temporary hold to the programme whilst we await some pending approvals. We are in positive discussions with the relevant parties, and fully expect works to fully reconvene in November.

“We’d like to once again thank the people of Folkestone for their continued support with this exceptional heritage project.”

The spokesman for Gustavia explained the approvals required are “in line with building regulations” but declined to specify from which authorities these were being sought.

Items of equipment have been removed from the site, which overlooks the English Channel, as they are no longer required following the completion of the groundworks.

Gustavia says work continues off-site, including the construction of the new building’s structural frame and the cleaning and repair of around 2,400 blocks which make up the original building’s distinctive terracotta façade.

First opened in 1902 as an Edwardian tea room, the Leas Pavilion later became a home for repertory theatre, with its last ever performance taking place in August 1985.

It then became the Leas Club, a bar with pool and snooker tables, and even a small ten-pin bowling alley.

Financing the restoration of the site has been enabled by the residential scheme above. Tasked with turning this vision into a reality is the team at Hollaway Studio, which is behind many local projects such as the harbourside Rocksalt restaurant and the F51 skate park.

Residents of the new development - which will feature a gym, car parking and a concierge service - will be able to use the communal space on days when it is not booked out for use by the community.

Prices for the smallest one-bedroom flats start at around £325,000, with significantly larger penthouses set to cost would-be residents in the region of £3 million.