Plans for the first phase of a 450-home estate have taken a step forward after being granted planning permission.

The first 138 properties of the larger project in Margate have been given the green light, allowing work to get underway on farmland near Shottendane Road.

The build will consist of 12 one-bedroom flats, 23 two-bedroom flats, 13 two-bedroom houses, 51 three-bedroom houses, and 39 four-bedroom houses, as well as a link road from Hartsdown Road to Shottendane Road, including a roundabout.

Every house will also have one or two car parking spaces, depending on the property size and EV chargers installed.

The plans also include 4.3 acres of green space and a shared pedestrian cycleway to encourage other forms of transportation.

Housebuilder Gladman Developments gained outline planning permission on appeal for the wider project in 2022.

The scheme was rejected three times by Thanet District Council in 2021, citing problems with the “insulting” number of affordable housing, flood risks, and wildlife and agricultural land harm.

Places for People acquired the site in 2023 and has addressed some of the concerns by bringing the development in line with Thanet District Council’s 30% affordable housing policy by now offering 49%.

The new amount can now be offered through grant funding from Homes England and will equate to 68 units with 29 affordable rent and 39 dwellings as shared ownership.

Speaking on the application, John Kerr, regional managing director for the south east at Places for People, said he hopes this project can continue to address the issue of affordable housing.

However, other concerns are still being raised about the development.

Cllr Mike Garner (Green) still feared the flood risk at the site, saying: “Some of us remember the vociferous battles over the amount of affordable housing and many other concerns that weren’t part of the reasons for refusal.

“I’m still saddened by the loss of agricultural land, but the risk of flooding is still a significant concern. Those who know the area and others will have seen a lot of water run-off and flood there over the winter.

“Unless that is catered for, then no matter the amount of affordable homes, they’ll be flooded.”

Cllr Rebecca Wing (Green) also raised concerns over environmental plans for the site.

She said: “It would be nice to know early in the development phase that the biodiversity areas are a priority and will be planted early and not left until the last minute.

“I obviously shared initial concerns and voted against the original application.

“We are still sad we are losing an important area of farmland, but I do feel some of that has been taken on board, and hopefully, further improvements to biodiversity can be made.”

In a statement, Places for People stressed the positivity that would come to the site through the additional affordable housing.

Mr Kerr added: “We’re delighted in the response to our recent proposal to bring more much-needed new homes, open space and children’s play areas to Margate.

“Our ambition is to deliver thriving communities across the UK, providing sustainable, high-quality homes with a range of tenures to suit the needs of our markets.

“We know that a shortage of affordable housing remains an acute issue across the south east and are looking forward to starting to deliver these new homes.”

The project will also adjoin a 250-home development between Manston Road and Nash Road, which was approved earlier this year.

Work is set to start on phase one of the scheme in the summer of this year, with homes due to be available from 2025.