Folkestone & Hythe District Council Monthly Update: October 2026
A monthly bulletin from F&HDC. This month: Grand Burstin, Local Plan, Folca 2, Support for the Right People, Grace Hill, Rail Services, Cheriton Play Time & Community Events!
Monthly briefing – October 2026
Grand Burstin Hotel fire
Residents of Pavilion Court, Folkestone, who had to move out of their flats following the fire, have returned home.
The council moved most of the residents into hotels and other temporary accommodation, while others went to stay with family and friends.
The return went ahead after structural investigations enabled the reduction in the size of the exclusion area around the fire-damaged hotel.
Britannia Hotels is liaising with the Burstin guests over the return of their belongings.
Work on new Local Plan for district
Residents, businesses and local communities are being invited to get involved in the preparation of a new Local Plan.
A Local Plan guides decisions about where new homes, employment space and community facilities should be developed, while helping to protect the environment and respond to climate change.
This first stage, known as the scoping consultation, asks how those living and working in the district want to be involved with the process and what the new plan should include.
There will be further public consultation in 2027 once a draft is prepared.
To get involved visit the consultation portal and provide comments by 4pm on Friday 16 October 2026. More information is available on the Local Plan microsite.
New life for former department store
An application aimed at preparing the Art Deco section of Folca to become an active mixed-used building with commercial units and a medical centre has been submitted.
This forms part of the next phase of work at Folca 2, which will follow the current programme focused on weatherproofing and making good the building.
The key town centre site – on the corner of Bouverie Place and Sandgate Road, has remained vacant since 2020 and the proposal seeks to bring it back to life.
Ensuring support reaches the right people
Over £1.25m of funds claimed fraudulently or in error has been identified in the past year.
Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s investigations unit covers council tax schemes, tenancy fraud, housing benefit and parking.
This work has saved £1,266,259 over 466 proven cases in 2025/26 – ensuring the money can be distributed to more eligible residents who need support.
There are several schemes to help residents finding the rising cost of living challenging. Visit folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/cost-of-living-support to find out more.
Support for Folkestone’s Grace Hill project
The Grace Hill Steering Group has announced a significant milestone in its ongoing work, with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) now formally signed by all community partners.
The agreement has been signed by Folkestone Town Council, Creative Folkestone, One Folkestone, Folkestone & Hythe District Council and the local Member of Parliament – Tony Vaughan, demonstrating a shared commitment to working collaboratively to support the future development and success of the Grace Hill project.
The signed Memorandum of Understanding is available to view on the project website 2 Grace Hill – Folkestone Town Council
Help to bring back international rail service
Kent County Council (KCC) is urging residents to help secure the return of international rail services to Ashford and Ebbsfleet by taking part in a survey.
No international trains have stopped in Kent since 2020 when Eurostar withdrew services from Ashford and Ebbsfleet leaving communities disconnected.
This short survey should take just three minutes to complete and may help the campaign to bring international rail services back to Kent.
Better play time at Cheriton
New dynamic play equipment specifically aimed at toddlers and teenagers has been added to Cheriton Recreation Ground.
Using development levies aimed at improving local infrastructure, Folkestone & Hythe District Council has invested over £70,000 into 14 pieces of apparatus to complement the existing offering on Stanley Road.
Plans to update and improve equipment at other play areas across the district are being prepared.
Community Safety events
A Winter Well event is being held on Monday 2 November from 10.30am until 2pm at the Hub on the Beach, 103 Coast Drive, Greatstone, TN28 8NR.
The event will focus on supporting residents through the challenges of winter by providing advice and support around food poverty, reducing bills, benefit and financial advice, safeguarding and fire safety checks.
Organisations wanting to join the event with a stand should contact community.safety@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk
A Spot the Scam event is being held on Friday 6 November from 10.30am to 3pm at Age UK, Sandford House, Stade Street, Hythe, CT21 6BD.
The event, organised by the council’s Community Safety team, will offer practical advice and support for anyone who wants to learn more about recognising scams and protecting their personal information from scammers.