Sir Roger De Haan’s grand vision for Folkestone has been turned down, sparking debate among locals about housing needs and community impact.
Folkestone: So, Sir Roger De Haan had this big plan to transform Folkestone Harbour, right? He bought it for £11 million back in 2004 and wanted to build loads of homes and shops along the seafront.
But guess what? The local council just shot it down. They voted five to four against it, which is pretty close. A lot of folks in the area weren’t on board with the idea, either.
People were worried that only a tiny fraction of the homes would be affordable. Plus, they thought the whole thing would ruin the view and make the area feel crowded.
His plans included a new park, a viewing terrace, and better paths for walkers and cyclists. It could’ve brought in a ton of money and jobs, but the locals just didn’t see it that way.
Over 90% of the comments on the council’s site were negative. One resident even said it would turn the harbour into a ghost town with no parking and blocked views.
After some initial backlash, he tried to scale back the plans, but it seems it wasn’t enough. Sir Roger has put a lot into Folkestone over the years, but this time, he might have gone too far.
His company is now thinking about what to do next after the council’s decision. Folkestone was even named one of the best places to live in the southeast last year, but this latest plan just didn’t sit well with the community.
