Fourteen flats for sale at the Bun Penny development on Herne Bay seafront have been taken off the market.

Bosses behind the scheme refused to comment this week but it is understood the contract with the building firm has been terminated by the developer.

The news came as speculation over inactivity at the prime seafront site started to grow.

Estate agent Miles & Barr says the properties, which cost between £325,000 and £575,000, should go back on sale soon.

“It is off the market at the moment,” estate agent Paul Jones said.

“We have agreed a couple of sales but there was a delay with some of the building regs, which has now been done, and we are going to relaunch it.

“We are not controlling the build, but hopefully the scaffolding at the front will come down within two weeks.”

Eleven of the 17 luxury two and three-bedroom apartments, which all feature balconies and parking, have been sold.

But Bay developer Dean Tevfik, who took over the former pub in June 2014, refused to comment about the build situation when asked by the Gazette this week.

Mr Jones says it is expected to be finished by the end of next month, but Mr Tevfik remained tight-lipped.

“When we relaunch them, the sun will be out in the summer and I think they will go straight away – they are priced quite competitively,” Mr Jones added.

“Although we are not advertising it, people still know we have got it, and I have had a client from Birchington and another from Whitstable who have both secured a property.

“It has been a slow burner, but we are looking forward to relaunching it.”

Mr Tevfik, who demolished the derelict pub shell that was gutted by fire in September 2011, is well-known in Herne Bay as the owner of an ice cream parlour, a fish and chip shop and a pie and mash shop on the seafront.

In February, he said he was in talks with Costa and Starbucks about taking over a new shop on the site but there have been no updates.

The Bun Penny development is expected to be back on the market in two weeks.

Visit www.milesandbarr.co.uk or call 01227 740840 for property details