Campaigners are celebrating after a developer’s last-ditch bid to build “horrendous” flats which would have changed a town’s skyline “forever” was snubbed.

Plans were submitted for 20 new apartments in two four-storey blocks on the sloping Ebbor House site, adjacent to Barrack Hill and London Road on the edge of Hythe town centre.

The proposals were rejected by Folkestone and Hythe District Council but the firm behind the bid, Holbrook Griffith Development Ltd, appealed against the decision.

Now the planning inspectorate has dismissed the appeal, citing concerns over the blocks’ appearance, access to the site, the loss of trees and a lack of affordable housing.

Hythe resident Peter Kent is a member of the Stop Ebbor House group, which has opposed the development since it was first submitted in 2021.

The 75-year-old told KentOnline: “It would’ve stuck out like a sore thumb. One of the pictures we submitted shows it was supposed to be as tall as St Leonard’s Church, which would just be horrendous. It would have dominated the skyline.

“Hythe is a very picturesque leafy town and, although the final designs could have changed, it’s completely out of character for Hythe - a blot on the landscape.

“I thank all the people who contributed to making this a resounding campaign for the community and all the neighbours who said this was not right.”

Efforts from the group resulted in almost 300 objections being lodged against the original planning application for 36 apartments, which was rejected in July 2022.

In Holbrook Griffith’s appeal, the developer said it was revising its proposals to reduce the number of flats to 20.

However, a report by the planning inspectorate identifies several grounds on which to reject the appeal.

This included the loss of 39 of the 81 individual trees, which would “significantly harm the verdant character and appearance of the site”.

The report says it would become more like an “urbanised, backland development”.

Also highlighted were concerns the blocks would overlook people’s back gardens on Barrack Hill and that there would be no on-site affordable housing.

Meanwhile, a “significant” risk of construction work at the site leading to landslides was identified.

The inspectorate was also not satisfied that suitable access to the site from London Road could be achieved - with vehicles potentially not being able to pass each other and therefore having to reverse out onto the main route.

Dave Hall, one of the founders of Stop Ebbor House, lives directly opposite a house which would have been demolished to make way for the new access route.

He said: “We were dismayed when we found out about the application and our first thought was about the congestion on London Road.

“It would’ve been a total nightmare for residents.

“Living where I do, the biggest issue for me was the road access because that would’ve been complete chaos had it happened - not just once the development went ahead but also during construction.

“I don't think anyone in this group is against a development happening there. It’s a big plot of land but it's all about keeping in with the local environment.”

Stop Ebbor House distributed 1,200 leaflets in the town raising their concerns.

More people then joined the group, including Christine King, who was worried that if the plans were approved, it would lead to more applications for “high-rise” blocks in the town.

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

She said: “It would’ve changed the actual look and aesthetics of Hythe. Looking back from Hythe Green you have this beautiful view of Hythe on the hillside and that would completely change forever.

“Future generations would never have forgiven us if we didn’t speak out against it.

“This would be the first high-rise block to go up in this part of Hythe and it would set the precedent for more applications to start flooding in.”