Plans in for 106 beach chalets and water sports centre in Coast Drive car park, at Greatstone, Romney Marsh
Steps to transform a stretch of shoreline by adding more than 100 beach huts and creating a water sports centre have taken a step forward.
The proposal to overhaul the coastline at Greatstone, on Romney Marsh, was announced in 2021, with Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) revealing they wanted to make it a ‘tourist destination’.
The authority has now submitted an application to itself which provides more details of their ambitious scheme.
It includes plans for a visitor hub which will contain four toilets, shower facilities, cafe, and a space for training and education.
The water sports facilities will consist of storage, classrooms and retail space for businesses. This will operate between March to October.
As well as this, the new chalets will be built overlooking the beach and open to long term tenancies.
Each chalet would be staggered so that they all have a view of the sea.
Around 28 chalets already line the seafront, close to the New Romney Sea Cadet building.
The plans will also allow for easy access to the beach, whilst making upgrades to the existing car park.
FHDC’s vision is to “create a new beachside destination offering community, tourism and recreational benefits”, planning documents state.
The development aims to create a more beneficial use for the current site whilst supporting the tourist economy in the process.
The application reads: “This project aims to support local economic growth, protect and enhance the environment and create access to inclusive facilities and activities.
“The new beach side visitor recreation area also aims to reduce tourist footfall in local areas that are heavily utilised such as the Dungeness Reserve.”
It is also hoped that the project will create a social meeting place for visitors and members of the community through the cafe and workshop space.
A total 72 new car parking spaces will be provided – plus new bins and signs, with the potential to add solar panels to bring in green energy.
Speaking last year,district councillor David Wimble (Ind) said he is confident members of the community will be happy with the scheme.
He said: “There is not a single person in New Romney who is not behind this. They all think it is an excellent idea.”
The sandy beach, that stretches for around two miles, is popular with tourists and already brings holidaymakers to the area.
Greatstone is currently mainly made up of residential properties with some shops, local pubs, and restaurants.
The application continues: “The project aims to protect and enhance the environment and create access to inclusive facilities and recreational activities.”
FHDC say the development will increase the number of visitors locally and will create the equivalent of six full-time jobs in the process.
The scheme follows the success of the newly installed beach huts in Folkestone where 80 new wooden huts were added to the coastline as part of a regeneration scheme in 2021.
The triumph of the project has meant the council is now looking at other sites across the district to potentially increase its beach hut and tourism offering.