New play park to open on Folkestone Beach

A new play park will open on a popular Kent beach by the summer.

Planning for the Folkestone coastline’s new addition near the Harbour Arm was approved last Thursday.

The new facility will be just outside Folkestone Harbour Putters Mini Golf and will have wooden climbing frames and a slide.

Developers behind the project hope to see kids playing there by summer 2024.

Planning has been secured for eight years, with a temporary addition put in place before a more permanent structure is moved in later down the line.

The horseshoe-shaped park will be embedded into the shingle alongside the timber boardwalk which runs along the seafront.

It will be the first play park in the harbour area, with the closest based at the Lower Leas Coastal Park.

The addition comes under Folkestone Harbour and Seafront Development Company’s plans to “reinvent” the area.

Hundreds of flats which have been labelled ‘Flintstone towers’ due to their distinctive look are proposed for the harbour area, along with retail and leisure facilities.

A spokesman from the firm said: “We hope to have the play park up and running for young families to enjoy by summer 2024.

“Eight years is the standard planning length for all meanwhile uses and not something we have requested specifically.

“This is in line with the other fantastic additions we have already brought to Folkestone Harbour as part of our mission to reinvent the English seaside experience.”