Striking new artist\u2019s impressions show how a 291-home development could look on a town\u2019s golf course.<\/p>\n
GSE Group – owner of Hythe Golf Club and neighbouring Hythe Imperial Hotel – wants to redevelop the \u201cunder-utilised\u201d 18-hole course as part of a \u00a3120m scheme.<\/p>\n
How the 291-home development planned for Hythe Golf Club could look; part of the nine-hole par-three academy course is in the foreground. Picture: GSE Group<\/p>\n
Now new images show what it has planned – including a new leisure centre on land to the east of the hotel, which would feature a publicly accessible 20-metre indoor swimming pool.<\/p>\n
A planning application is yet to be submitted to Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) but – if approved – the 40-acre private Hythe Golf Club would be reduced to a pay-to-play nine-hole par-three academy course, including a new clubhouse on the eastern half of the site.<\/p>\n
The images show how the layout of Princes Parade – the long seafront road alongside the golf course – would remain unchanged, but GSE says it plans to \u201cimprove road safety and parking\u201d as part of the scheme.<\/p>\n
A mini adventure golf course is also planned – which bosses say would be themed around the Napoleonic Wars.<\/p>\n
The 291 homes would be built on the western side of the course, including 48 three-bedroom houses and 243 one-, two- and three-bedroom flats.<\/p>\n
A graphic showing how the proposed development could be laid out along Princes Parade
A visual showing how the proposed leisure centre may look. Picture: GSE Group<\/p>\n
Extra hotel accommodation is also proposed, as bosses want to construct a new west wing with 24 additional bedrooms, taking the site\u2019s capacity to 116 rooms.<\/p>\n
A new outdoor pool, gym, spa and wellbeing centre could also be added to the venue.<\/p>\n
The proposals come a year after plans for 150 holiday chalets – described as a \u2018mini Center Parcs\u2019 by residents – were dropped by the developer.<\/p>\n
Darrell Healey, chairman of GSE Group, said the company has been working on the updated proposals for months as the course is currently \u201cunder-utilised\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re excited to present them to the public,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe they offer a vote of confidence in the future of the town as a destination, and at the same time improve what it offers residents and visitors alike, as well as creating much needed new jobs and homes.<\/p>\n
If the scheme goes ahead, Hythe Imperial Hotel would receive a multimillion-pound extension with extra accommodation and a new outdoor pool. Picture: GSE Group
Hythe Golf Course will be redeveloped if the scheme goes ahead. Picture: Barry Goodwin
The proposed buildings feature a more modern design compared to the existing Hythe Imperial Hotel. Picture: GSE Group<\/p>\n
\u201cWe listened to the public comments to the previous schemes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re proposing to keep Princes Parade open to traffic while improving road safety and parking.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bosses have also confirmed the current plans would retain the nearby coastal road Princes Parade for traffic, instead aiming to enhance road safety and parking.<\/p>\n
GSE says 25% of the properties, about 73 homes, would be designated as affordable.<\/p>\n