Bosses have backtracked on an Airbnb ban at a controversial seaside development - with properties now available for up to £1,050 a night.

Two beach houses at Shoreline Crescent in Folkestone are being advertised as a “luxurious holiday experience”.

In an interview with KentOnline last year, Sir Roger De Haan - the multi-millionaire behind the transformation of the town’s seafront - said the Shoreline properties “won’t be able to be used as Airbnbs at all”.

He added: “We’re putting covenants in the sale agreements that will prevent people doing that.”

But now, a Shoreline spokesman has admitted: “The strategy at Shoreline Folkestone has evolved to allow short-term rental due to the strong demand from people wanting to experience beachside living in our great town for themselves.

“We have put in place tangible measures to ensure that anyone renting properties do not adversely affect their neighbours or the wider local community and we are working with quality partners to manage the process.

“We believe that guests staying at Shoreline will add significantly to the local economy, enjoying the town’s burgeoning restaurants, bars and cafes throughout the year and shopping locally.”

Both of the houses are being advertised by Canterbury-based holiday letting agency Bloom Stays, including on Booking.com.

A two-bed called The View is available for £526.25 a night, with a two-night minimum.

A bigger four-bedroom holiday let - The Beach House - is also open to stays, for an eye-watering £2,100 for two nights.

For the two-bed, August 8-14 has already been booked out.

The Beach House is occupied from August 1-15, and then again from August 23 to the 25. August 31 is also taken.

The eye-catching Shoreline Crescent has sparked huge debate in the town ever since work started in 2020 - particularly over the price of the properties.

The cheapest is £395,000, while the two-bed penthouse is the most expensive at £2.8 million.

Bosses have remained tight-lipped when asked how many of the homes have sold so far.

Many locals were worried that the Shoreline homes would be empty for much of the year and end up being used as Airbnbs - but Sir Roger’s comments last year allayed those concerns.

Councillors in Folkestone have also raised concerns about the number of holiday lets in the town and called on owners to face new charges amid concerns they "don't contribute".

Now on Shoreline’s own website, the holiday rental element is being advertised as a try-before-you-buy initiative.

It says: “Experience the joys of living at Shoreline for yourself.

“We have two beach houses literally ‘on the beach’ that you can rent for a weekend, a week or a month.

“Each has amazing views, seafront terraces and the homes are luxuriously appointed for the ultimate coastal holiday.”

Bloom Stays describes the homes as a “luxurious holiday experience”.

Its website says The View is a “premium” beach house next to the boardwalk which snakes around the pebbles on the seafront.

“It has light-filled rooms with wrap-around sea views from its huge windows,” the description adds.

“Luxurious hotel-style interiors mean there are beautiful bathrooms, sumptuous beds with designer linens, TVs in every bedroom and robes.

“The View has its own private balcony so you can relax taking in the sea view, spotting the French coastline on a clear day.

“The enclosed patio terrace is ideal for a morning coffee leading onto the communal gardens which wrap around the whole development.”

Popular local restaurant Rocksalt is recommended for visitors, who will be greeted with a bottle of Kent wine.

It continues: “Folkestone is easily accessible from London with high-speed trains from London taking less than an hour and just a 20-minute walk from the station to Shoreline.

“Arriving by car is hassle-free with a secure private car park that includes a space handily located next to your private entry door.”

Shoreline Crescent was built by Sir Roger’s Folkestone Harbour and Seafront Development Company (FHSDC).

It has made headlines for emitting a high-pitched whistling noise during strong winds and it was branded one of the “worst-designed” builds of 2023 by Private Eye.

Shoreline is part of FHSDC’s wider 1000-home plan for the beach and harbour area, which has outline planning permission.

Original proposals for a huge development on the town’s harbour arm car park have also faced a backlash, but designs have since been made “simpler and more unified”.