Angry residents have refused to let plans for homes at the Hythe Imperial go quietly.

They have organised a public meeting next week to rally support and attempt to undermine Hythe Town Council’s decision to endorse the proposals.

The plans would see 96 homes and flats between the Royal Military Canal and the hotel itself. GSE – owner of the Imperial – says that without the homes, it would not be able to invest the sums the hotel needs to improve.

GSE says that the building works will be tied to the improvements as a condition of planning consent, with the improvements coming first.

However, not everyone is in agreement and a meeting is being held in the Town Hall on Tuesday at 7pm.

One resident who will be there is Denise Maskell, who said: “Everyone expected some kind of development, but not a block of flats right next to the canal. This is about is informing people and helping them get their complaints in.”

Hythe council does not have the authority to grant permission but it can put its recommendations to Shepway, which can.