Plans to build 140 new homes have been approved three years after the scheme was initially submitted and despite safety concerns.

Gladman Developments' proposal earmarks land west of Cross Road in Walmer, near Deal, which is the size of more than 12 football pitches.

According to Dover District Council (DDC), the delay in approval was due to planning officers having to work with the applicant on a range of planning issues associated with the proposed site.

Developer contributions toward healthcare, education, outdoor sports provisions and 30% affordable housing at the site have also been secured under Section 106 agreements.

However, the exact terms have yet to be revealed.

Gladman initially insisted the development was a “well-considered, appropriate and suitable response to the site and its surroundings” and would provide “social, environmental and economic benefits” to the area.

However, the plans faced backlash from the public, with 49 comments opposing the plans registered on DDC’s planning portal.

Madeline Craggs commented: “This development will destroy habitats for wildlife living in the nearby woodland and limit their movement.

“Loss of green spaces will impact the children who use these fields and the paths within to play and safely access the woodland areas.

“The road is already too small for access, and the amount of lorries and building materials will limit access for residents.

“This will also impact safety - this is a small residential community where a number of young children live and play on the quiet road.

“There is not adequate infrastructure (doctors, shops, schools) to accommodate this ongoing rise in house building in the area. I also have concerns over flooding, as this has been raised before. I wholeheartedly object to this proposal.”

Also, commenting on the council’s planning portal, Andrew Howard-Grigg added: “Once again, valuable agricultural land will be lost and significant wildlife habitats destroyed.

“The implications for flooding need to be investigated as this site lies on a watercourse that drains through neighbouring villages.

“This particular location has a wholly inadequate road infrastructure to support additional housing on this scale.”

Find out more about planning applications near you on the public notice portal.

DDC originally rejected a proposal in 2017 for 235 homes on the same plot and a site to the east of Cross Road.

After its refusal, the application was divided between the two plots of land on either side of Cross Road.

Since then, a scheme by Abbey Developments to provide 100 homes on the sister site to the east saw a reserved matters application approved in December 2022.