Neighbours have been left stunned by the colourful appearance of four “Lego-like” homes being built on the Kent coast.
The eye-catching properties – each finished in a different pastel shade and inspired by traditional beach huts – have been turning heads in Greatstone, near New Romney.
The homes in Coast Drive have been likened to Lego buildings and drawn a mixed reaction
But some locals say the three-storey houses look “nothing like” they expected when planning permission was first secured by Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) in 2021, with computer-generated images at the time showing a far more muted design.
However, the site was sold in 2023, with the new owners gaining approval for amended plans that allowed parts of the exterior to be clad in blue, pink, yellow and green metal panels – although updated CGIs were not released.
Lee Dryden, who moved to Greatstone with his wife three years ago, says he never expected to find himself living beside what he describes as “horrendous” homes.
“If I wanted to go where there were houses like that, I’d have moved to somewhere like Brighton,” the 68-year-old said.
“I wouldn’t have had a problem if they were like the designs shown on the initial CGIs, but if I knew they were going to look like this, I’d have objected.
How the council’s CGIs showcased the designs when planning permission was first secured. Picture: On ArchitectureLee Dryden says the colourful homes would be better suited to somewhere like Brighton than Greatstone
“Even if it hasn’t affected values of homes around here, I guarantee you what it has done is detract from their sellability.
“They don’t fit in any way shape or form.”
The homes, being built on former council-owned wasteland in Coast Drive, have been likened by some residents to Lego buildings, while neighbour Clare Chapman believes they resemble “containers”.
The 45-year-old behaviour analyst told KentOnline: “When the wasteland was going to be developed on, I was quite open to it because it’s better to have some development than just empty wasteland.
“In terms of the colour, they’re a bit garish and I didn’t realise they were going to be multicoloured – I was surprised.
“It’s not my cup of tea but I’m sure they look lovely inside, and the builders have been fantastic with us.”
The homes sit on land behind Varne Boat Club, with construction workers currently using the venue’s car park while work continues.
Boat club commodore Zalan Paksy believes the striking properties have given the area a lift.
Clare Chapman likened the three-storey homes to ‘containers’Boat club commodore Zalan Paksy believes the homes have given the area a lift
“The colours are interesting, and I think it needed a bit of a lift from the previous design, to be honest,” he said.
“There’s so much special colour that this area has not really had before.
“When you’re driving down, it always captures your attention – you can’t ignore it.”
Construction bosses, who have been on site since June, say work is expected to be completed within the next four weeks.
TG Designer Homes, the scheme’s developer, says it understands why the design has divided opinion.
Anthony Ralph, who founded the company alongside his wife Theresa in 2005, says the aim has always been to create “houses of interest”.
Mr Ralph, 50, explained: “We wanted to ensure they were unique in design and they represented our modern take on a traditional beach hut.
“When we build designs, people don’t pay full attention to what’s going on in the background.
Developers believe residents ‘will get used’ to the designsThe four homes are being built in Coast Drive, Greatstone, on land behind Varne Boat Club
“The public are seeing it behind scaffolding at the moment – it will surprise people and they will get used to it.
“We have always been committed to only creating homes that we would be proud of and happy to live in ourselves.”
And in response to comparisons with Lego buildings, the developer joked: “Who doesn’t like Lego?”
When approving the amended colour scheme in January 2024, FHDC described the overall changes as “minor”.
An officer’s report stated: “It is not considered it would be harmful to the overall aesthetic of the dwellings and in turn would not have an adverse impact upon the visual amenity of the street scene and surrounding area.”
The detached properties, originally earmarked as holiday lets, are now set to become standard homes.
Plans show the ground floors will include a private two-car port, a large boat store, a bathroom and a garden room.
The first floors will contain three bedrooms, with the master bedroom featuring an en-suite and dressing room.
At the top of each property will be an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area opening onto a large wraparound terrace deck complete with a hot tub and outdoor seating.
Nearby, Folkestone and Hythe District Council is preparing to open the Changing Tides Coastal Centre.
KentOnline previously reported that Reynolds Ice Cream will open a new café at the venue.
The £1.5 million project will also feature 93 beach huts alongside a watersports centre.