Sixty-five homes will be built on agricultural land at Cliffsend after Thanet council planning members agreed to defer the decision to officers.
The proposal is for land east of 40 Canterbury Road West owned by Edward Spanton Farms.
The scheme is for up to 65 new homes, 30% of which would be affordable. The affordable housing would be a range of flats and houses with both rented and shared ownership properties available for families and single households.
It also includes open spaces, a play area, a contribution towards a new footpath to the Thanet Parkway Station site and cycle paths.
Dozens of objections were lodged to the scheme.
‘Under seige’
At the planning meeting last night ward councillor John Townend said: “There have been over 155 objections to this scheme delivered to TDC offices in February by myself.
“We have no shops, no secondary schools, no medical centres, there are very few facilities.
“We are a close knit village. With this next stage of the planning application we feel like we are under siege.”
Concerns
Ward and parish councillors said 161 new homes had already been approved and the further 65 homes would mean a 30% increase in the size of the village. They also raised concerns about building on Grade 1 agricultural land and plans for a crossing close to a bend on the Canterbury Road West.
They said residents in Cliff View Road would suffer a loss of privacy and that the village was being overwhelmed by development with housing agreed for the Jentex site, Youngs Nursery and an application due for Cottingham Road.
‘High quality’
A planning statement for the scheme, which will be sited across from the Jentex site, says: “The proposal has been carefully considered to facilitate an integrated and sustainable layout within its landscape setting. The development will contribute to the retention of families in the area by providing a range of family housing and affordable homes that deliver a high quality residential environment, which is both distinctive and complements the character of the settlement.
“Improvements would be made to accessibility and public transport, with links to the proposed Parkway Station which would be secured through financial contributions. A well-conceived access arrangement is proposed through the creation of new access from Canterbury Road West.”
‘No choice’
Councillors Carol Partington and Michelle Fenner both raised concerns about the scheme but councillors Mick Tomlinson and Peter Campbell said there was no choice but to approve it.
Cllr Campbell said: “If this is refused and appealed it is absolutely certain we would lose it with a very high financial penalty.”
Members agreed to the recommendation to defer and delegate the application for approval by officers.
The developer will have to make a financial contribution of £197,778 towards Phase 2 of Birchington Primary School expansion; £140,408.10 towards Phase 1 of Ursuline College expansion works and £3,121.03 towards book stock at the local library.
There will also be a requirement to provide a play area in Cliffsend and a contribution towards the expansion of Newington Road GP surgery.
