Yellow coverings which have appeared on the balconies of luxury seafront flats are not part of work to stop high-pitch whistling sounds, KentOnline understands.

The Shoreline Crescent homes in Folkestone made headlines in September after residents said the mysterious noise was giving them “sleepless nights”.

Three months on, the development is in the spotlight again after bright coverings appeared on a number of balconies this week – sparking speculation contractors are trying to fix the issue.

But Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company (FHSDC), which is behind the development, says the yellow sheets are only a “temporary” addition as construction continues and, KentOnline understands, are not part of work to cut out the noise.

Folkestone resident Georgina Baker, who led a campaign against the redevelopment of the town’s harbour earlier this year, says she was surprised when she first noticed the balconies this week.

“The colour is shocking – you’d have to be colour blind to move into the development,” she said.

“Maybe they are just trying to make it a bit more colourful for Christmas.

“I went down there not so long ago and the buildings were making different whistling tunes. It will be interesting to see if they do ever stop that noise completely.”

Bosses at FHSDC, which is owned by billionaire philanthropist Sir Roger De Haan, previously said work to stop the shrill sound would happen “imminently”.

It appears to come from the wind hitting the new luxury tower block, and neighbours say it can be heard “50-60ft away”.

In October, the first homes at the development hit the market, with townhouses starting at £1.85 million and flats at £430,000.

An FHSDC spokesman said Shoreline Crescent “is still being constructed and the temporary balcony coverings are in place as part of that process”.

Mr De Haan previously insisted he was not trying to gentrify the town with the development, which is to be built in phases along the seafront.

He also revealed that owners will be banned from turning the homes into Airbnbs, a big concern of residents.

In recent weeks, contractors have rerouted the popular boardwalk at the front of the Shoreline development as part of work to install a new permanent path.