Library image Aug 2025-SCOPIX –
The people have spoken, and their voices have been heard! In a resounding victory for the community and local conservation, all development plans for the cherished Princes Parade have been officially scrapped.
After 15 years of relentless campaigning and impassioned debate, Folkestone & Hythe District Council has finally confirmed that no further activity will take place on the 18-acre coastal site. The council leader has made the decisive move, drawing a permanent line in the sand and preserving this vital green space for generations to come.
Library image July 2023 with fencing blocking sea view-SCOPIX –
This monumental decision comes on the heels of extensive public engagement, including a powerful show of support at a recent meeting at Hythe Town Hall. The community’s unwavering commitment to protecting Princes Parade has paid off, securing a glorious triumph for local activism. Looking to the future, the council’s new leisure strategy will address the provision of a swimming pool elsewhere in the district, ensuring that the community’s needs are still met without sacrificing this irreplaceable stretch of coastline.
Cllr Jim Martin said:
“The overwhelming opinion of those who attended the events in July was a mirror reflection of the online consultation results. The majority want Princes Parade left as it is, maintained as an open space which supports biodiversity – that is a position this council will honour. We’ve all spent years talking about it but it’s now time to look forward. Suggestions of long-term protections for the site have been noted and will be looked at.”