Multimillion-pound proposals to transform a seafront golf course into a large residential and leisure complex are generating strong debate among Hythe residents, with construction on the GBP120million project potentially starting as early as 2026.
GSE Group, the owner of Hythe Golf Club and the neighbouring Hythe Imperial Hotel, unveiled the full "Imperial Gardens" development plans at a public consultation last week, drawing over 400 attendees to view the designs.
The ambitious scheme, which developers say has been three years in the making, includes 291 new homes earmarked for the western side of the existing 18-hole golf course. Crucially, the plan also features a new publicly accessible leisure centre with a 20-metre indoor swimming pool, located to the east of the hotel.
The proposal has found support among some residents who see a benefit in the provision of new community and housing assets.
Sixty-two-year-old resident Alfie Adcock expressed an "open-minded" view of the plans. "I think it’s a good scheme, and I think it has got a lot of benefits," he said, noting the critical need for new leisure facilities in Hythe.
Of the 291 new homes, 25% have been designated as “affordable”, a provision that Mr. Adcock highlighted as important for the town’s future. "I think we need to think about the new generation coming through," he added.
The scheme also includes a major expansion of the Hythe Imperial Hotel, adding a new west wing with 24 extra bedrooms and a new outdoor pool to boost tourism.
Seventy-three-year-old Jean Poulten supported the commercial improvements, stating: “The Hotel Imperial is iconic and it needs something to generate more tourism here. The whole idea of creating a business model around the hotel isn’t a bad one.”
However, concerns have been raised over the scale of the residential element and the modern architectural style.
The existing 18-hole seafront course would be replaced with a nine-hole par-three academy course and a new clubhouse featuring golf simulators. Developers describe the current course as "under-utilised."
Ms. Poulten, while supportive of the hotel's future, expressed strong reservations about the housing: "My biggest concern is the number of apartments that are being built." She felt the designs, which include 48 three-bedroom houses and 243 one-, two- and three-bedroom flats, were too dense, likening the computer-generated images to a "building site."
Similarly, Mick and Linda Poore questioned the difference between the attractive visuals displayed and what the final construction would actually look like.
GSE Group bosses defended the project, emphasising that the scheme is "leisure-led."
GSE Chairman Darrell Healey stated the company can deliver the much-discussed new swimming pool without needing government or council funding. "This is viable and this is something we can deliver," he said.
Luke Mullaney, GSE’s development director, highlighted that the 73 planned affordable homes exceed the district's usual provision requirements and that the entire plan is based on providing "benefits to the town."
The new proposals represent a shift from a previous, withdrawn scheme for 150 holiday chalets, with Mr. Mullaney noting the importance of retaining Princes Parade in its current position and delivering permanent housing.
A planning application is expected to be submitted to Folkestone and Hythe District Council by the end of January. If approved, the construction phase is anticipated to take "four to six years" to complete.
