A planning application on behalf of Trent Developments for a major mixed-use development on the foreshore at Folkestone, has been submitted to Shepway District Council.

The 7.1-hectare project will incorporate 600 residential apartments, 13,935sq m of leisure facilities - including a cinema, health and fitness centre, bowling, bingo and restaurants - and 80,000sq m of retail space.Situated at the foot of West Cliff on the beach Plateau, the site has the Marine Parade to the north and the sea to the south. Design elements within the development will use the beach setting and location to create structures reflecting the scale and prominence of seaside architecture that is part of the area's heritage.

Paul Newman, director of project design group, Aukett, said: The site is a key part of the harbour and seafront area and this project constitutes a major step in regenerating the town, creating a brand new urban quarter for Folkestone, radically transforming the existing area into a positive contemporary environment.The scheme closely follows the Folkestone Seafront Comprehensive Development Framework (CDF) initiated by Shepway District Council and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), the aim of which is to promote and direct the redevelopment of approximately 36 hectares of the town's seafront and harbour area.