A seafront car park could be transformed into a water sports park and a visitor centre with a cafe.

Folkestone & Hythe district council has resubmitted plans for the land off Coast Drive in Romney Marsh with hopes to turn the existing pay and display lot into a leisure destination for residents and tourists.

The application - which is recommended for approval - includes plans for public bathrooms, changing rooms, a cafe, and education space.

Painted in a spectrum of colours, beach chalets would also line a 175m stretch of the coast.

Documents submitted with the proposal read: “The Marsh coastal areas are much loved throughout the summer season and welcome large numbers of tourists.

“These coastal areas are important as they are providing recreational space to both local residents and visitors.

“The proposal to include 93 beach huts will help address the high demand there is in the Folkestone & Hythe district, which currently has a waiting list of 700 residents for these facilities.”

But some residents worry the new development will attract inconsiderate day-trippers.

Commenting publicly on the council website, Ms C Sheridan said: “I cannot see how this will bring any benefit to the local community, in fact it will create more pressure on our already overstretched facilities.

“There is already not enough parking and local people will suffer day trippers parking inconsiderately and very often illegally/dangerously as they already occasionally do in the summertime.

“Who is going to clear up after these people?”

The bid, due to be discussed at a planning meeting on Tuesday, comes after a very similar proposal with slighter more beach huts was submitted in December 2022.

The New Romney Town Council’s planning committee threw their weight behind the original plans, but unanimously voted against the most recent scheme, citing concerns over lack of parking, crime and anti-social behaviour.

But, town councillor David Wimble said he supports the plans in their current form, adding only that local residents should be prioritised for leases of the much-sought beach huts.

“I think it’s a great idea and I’m100% behind it,” said Cllr Wimble.

“It will be fit for purpose visitor centre with a decent car park and the cafe shop will also be good for tourism.

“I do think however that local people should be given first refusal on the beach huts.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

The plans are due to be discussed at a Folkestone & Hythe district council and licensing committee meeting on June 18.