A historic sea shelter has been demolished to make way for a controversial development featuring a seafood restaurant and yoga studio.

The Victorian Waterloo Shelter sits alongside the Broadstairs Funicular on Viking Bay – a cliff-side railway lift that took people down to the beach.

But it closed in 1991, and has subsequently become "completely derelict" and fallen victim to vandalism.

Now, the Victorian shelter has been knocked down to make way for the new project as diggers rolled in and flattened the structure, which had been there since 1910.

The proposals were approved by Thanet District Council back in April 2021.

Pillars from the old shelter are due to be incorporated into the new design, which will "retain the open look of the shelter, clearly hinting at its past use while bringing it confidently into the present".

Developer Justin van Oortmerssen claims the new restaurant will "stand alone from the neighbouring structures by introducing modern design elements while ensuring that the proposal does not contradict any of the structures within the conservation area".

As well as creating 15 jobs, the developers claim the scheme will "reduce derelict and anti-social behaviour, which is thriving on this site at present".

They added: "The site is being used as a toilet and a gathering point for drug users, as well as open fires and obscene graffiti.

"The smell of human faeces and urine combined with that of marijuana is not a good attraction for tourists at Viking Bay and does not contribute to the seaside experience that is expected by visitors."

Mr van Oortmerssen also owns the Funicular coffee shop, which is next door and is currently on the market.

Also to make way for the building work, 18 beach huts will be permanently relocated and 14 picnic benches will come in their place.

It is a structure which has split opinion, with some residents claiming it will actually increase anti-social behaviour on the beach.

Neighbour Matheos Diogenous said: "In no time there will be noise, broken glass and drunks on the beach.

"Urinating on our property will increase ten-fold.

"It is a family beach and adding a bar is ridiculous.

"Every night will be unbearable and every morning we will wake up to the mess from the night before."

Another local explained: "In summer months there is frequently considerable noise and anti-social behaviour on the beach area and a restaurant serving alcohol would only add to this."

The design of the proposal was also criticised with Broadstairs resident Lesley Curtis saying: "This oversized out of place design will totally destroy the ambience and character of the beach.

"The proposed design will dominate the beach, cover the distinctive and iconic chalk cliffs and change the picture postcard beach."

She added that the beach "should not be ruined by an unnecessary yoga studio".

Ms Curtis pleaded: "Retain the character, look and atmosphere of the beach - please don't allow it to become a trendy hipster destination.

"Retain the character, look and atmosphere of the beach - please don't allow it to become a trendy hipster destination..."

"Let it be a place for kids, families, buckets and spades."

However, many support the development, praising its use of a run-down building.

Gavin Hamill said: "I fully endorse this proposal. It has taken some one from outside the area to have the vision and application to enable the transformation of a derelict eyesore into a centrepiece for Viking Bay to the benefit of local residents and visitors alike."

Joe Shrimpton added: "This is hugely considerate of local history and does nothing if not immortalise the 120-year-old Funicular."

Also supporting the application was Christopher Mitchell, who believed it would "turn what is currently an eyesore into something more imaginative".

Alex Trabajo said: "Really good idea. We have been waiting for a long time to see this building being improved and what an upgrade that is."