We’re being pushed out of picturesque seaside town by second home owners – it’s making the area impossible to live in
RESIDENTS of a picturesque seaside town have told how they are being pushed out by second homeowners.
Folkestone in Kent is becoming an increasingly popular destination for homebuyers – and locals say it’s making the area impossible to live in.
The once dilapidated town is now home to a thriving Creative Quarter of art galleries and studios, and its decommissioned train station plays host to regular live music and entertainment.
But residents say the regeneration has come at a price – with the cost of living in the town steadily increasing in line with its popularity.
Brandon Lawrence, who has lived in Folkestone his whole life, said he has noticed a rise in property value in recent years.
The 27-year-old, who works as a chef at award-winning restaurant Rocksalt, said: “In the last 15 years there’s been a lot of re-investment into the area.
“When I was a teenager, the high street was decrepit, and it was quite a rough town.
“There’s a lot more culture to it now. People want to come and visit. It makes me proud to live here.
“But that has meant it’s got a lot more expensive. The house prices are definitely creeping up – it’s getting closer to London prices.”
Isabel Dowding, 20, was also born and raised in Folkestone. The sales advisor said she too has noticed an increase in property prices as the seaside town makes a name for itself.
She said: “I wouldn’t say it’s an affordable place to live. My mum is currently house-hunting and she’s struggling to find value for her money.
“And the house prices keep rising.”
The 20-year-old described the town as “trendy” but said she doesn’t think it’s comparable to Brighton.
She added: “Although I finished college a year ago and in the last year I noticed there was a lot of people there who’d recently moved down from London or other areas – so I think it’s becoming quite a popular place to live.
“The biggest issue at the moment is finding places to park – everywhere is permit only now. And that’s going to cause issues as more tourists flock down here.”
Ryan Kirby, 39, grew up in Folkestone and has stayed in the coastal town to raise his two daughters, aged seven and 10.
While he believes the regeneration of the area has attracted more adult tourists – he claims it has been at the expense of local children.
Ryan, who works as a technician for Eurotunnel believes investment in the port town has caused the cost-of-living and house prices in the area to rise.
He added: “The regeneration of the Harbour Arm has driven the prices up too. I like to support local businesses, but the prices have gone up too much.
“It costs about £6 for a pint down there too, which most people can’t afford.
“I’ve noticed a sharp rise in the property prices too. I’ve been in my flat about three years now – but six months into that, the rent shot up.
“They’re building a lot more luxury apartments, which are completely out of the price range for most local people. I think they’ll just be bought as second homes.”
A multi-million-pound luxury complex, consisting of 84 apartments, townhouses, duplexes and penthouses, is currently being built along the seafront.
Funded by businessman Sir Roger De Haan, the ‘Shoreline Development’ is part of wider plans by the Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company to regenerate the town further.
Stuart Bishop, 41, from nearby Herne Bay, is concerned that developments such as this will push out local residents.
The night manager at Tesco said: “They’re building a lot of new houses, but most of them are very expensive.
“I think local people can just about afford to live here now, but I can see that changing in a few years.
“House prices seem to be going up everywhere along the Kent coast – we’ve noticed it’s the same in Whitstable, Herne Bay and Ramsgate.
“I think people from London and other cities will just buy these apartments as holiday homes and they will stay empty for half the year, throughout the winter months.
“It seems like a waste, but then we’d probably do the same if we had the money.”
Stuart’s wife Tracy, a cat sitter, said she doesn’t believe the regeneration of the area justifies the hike in house prices.
The 52-year-old said: “The last time we came down to Folkestone was about two or three years ago.
“I wouldn’t say it’s changed that much in that time. The Harbour Arm has been done up – but it’s all just restaurants and bars.
“I certainly wouldn’t say it’s any more trendy. And it’s definitely not anything like Brighton.”