A beloved rare cliffside lift that connects a town to its seafront is one step closer to reopening after a string of extensive repairs and renovations were given the green-light.

Planning permission has been granted to fix the Leas Lift in Folkestone, which was originally opened in 1885 but closed in 2017 due to issues with its braking system.

As well as repairs to make the Grade II-listed lift work once more, the waiting room will be made over, and an extension will be added to house a modern cafe with an outdoor terrace.

An exhibition detailing the 100-plus-year history of the funicular railway will also be installed.

The application, from the The Folkestone Leas Lift Company Charity, was granted permission at Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s (FHDC) planning meeting on Tuesday.

Edwin Wealand, vice-chair of the board of trustees at the charity, attended the committee to make the case for the redevelopment.

“It’s a stunning example of the brilliance and simplicity of Victorian engineering; the elegance of motion powered by water and gravity, a simple concept that works so effectively,” he told members.

He explained how the asset’s heritage is both part of its appeal and its “Achilles Heel”, having been closed for periods in the 60s, 80s, 2000s, and 2017 due to safety concerns and mechanical problems.

Mr Wealand continued: “It is our firm intention that this need never happen again and the lift is put on a footing that makes it commercially and operationally sustainable in the long term, and not reliant on the goodwill of the people of Folkestone to resurrect it every 20 years.”

When redeveloped, the new extension will host the modern cafe and an exhibition.

Visitor facilities, such as the waiting room and ticket office, will be rejuvenated too, while a glass window will be installed allowing visitors the opportunity to view inside the pump room and its machinery.

Improved disability access, public toilets, and changes to the surrounding pavement are also planned, while the disused second track will host solar panels.

Funding for the project has come from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, S106 contributions and other donations.

Mr Wealand added: “Whilst heritage concerns limit what we can do with the existing building, we will refurbish and operate it to a standard which supports our aim to be truly net zero carbon.

“We genuinely believe that this project is much more than a lift.

“Through the hard work of our team and the generosity of local people we’ve raised more than £1.7 million which will unlock a total investment in Folkestone of £8 million if our submission to the final stage of National Lottery Heritage funding is successful.”

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Paul Thomas (Ind) said “there seems to be overwhelming support for this,” and backed the bid, as did the rest of the committee.

Chair of the planning committee, Cllr Jackie Meade (Lab), said after the application and listed building consent were given: “May I wish the Leas Lift all the luck, we really want to see you open as quickly as possible for all of our residents.”

The Leas Lift has transported millions of passengers over the years, and is one of only eight water balance lifts in the country, only three of which work using their original systems.

After being closed to the public in 2017, it degraded further and was placed on the Heritage at-risk register by Historic England in 2019.

It connects The Leas to the seafront and sits opposite the new Shoreline Crescent development which is nearing completion. This block will house more than 80 homes, all with views over the English Channel.

James Walker-Osborn, another trustee of the charity, added: “This is another milestone in this new chapter of the Leas Lift.

“It’s fantastic to have the support of the council with our future plans for this historic Folkestone landmark.

“We still have a lot of hard work to do; and the new cafe building, along with the restoration will help secure this beautiful Victorian Lift for many generations to come.”