Revised plans to turn a former garage into flats have gained planning consent – and won over objectors.

Foster & Payne’s controversial plans to build flats on the site of the demolished Adamson’s MOT Test Centre in West Street changed dramatically after the firm liaised with residents.

A new application for The Beacon development was submitted, scaled down to 12 from the original 17 flats in West Street, with an additional three across the road under a different application not yet submitted.

The exterior design is now more traditional and in keeping with the surroundings.

Foster & Payne, which is aiming the properties at the over- 50s market, also pledged to renew the road surface at the adjacent Anchor Lane once construction is finished.

This is an agreement separate to the planning application, and is between the firm and the residents who had complained about likely damage from works vehicles during construction.

James Tillitt, chairman of The Anchor Action Group (TAAG), said: “After two years of consultations with F&P, representations at several planning committee meetings and a great deal of to and fro with fellow residents I can say that, by and large, TAAG is as happy as we can be with this decision.

“There will be different opinions clearly but given the circumstances, we have achieved a significant victory.”

TAAG formed in 2015 to fight the first set of plans. Those were rejected over potential flood risk in 2016 and an appeal failed in January 2017.

At Thursday’s planning committee meeting, member and ward councillor Bill Gardner commended F&P directors for their consideration towards the site’s neighbours.

The firm also worked with Southern Water to reduce the flood risk and officer Amanda Marks said the water authority had approved the connection to the public sewers.

Mr Tillitt from TAAG added: “We have managed to see virtually all of our concerns met and, in some instances, exceeded.

“We have got the number of units reduced to 12 from 17, the overall design is far more in keeping with the area and F&P have agreed to resurface the entire length of Anchor Lane once the building is completed.

“Smaller design modifications have also been agreed with little or no argument.”

Controversially, and previously reported in The Mercury, the development has no provision for parking because it is in a town centre location close to public transport links and beside Sainsbury’s, Co-operative, and other DDC car parks.

TAAG will now press the district council to exercise its authority to issue a Traffic Management Order under the Town & Country Planning Act, supported by F&P. This would prohibit anyone buying one of these flats from applying for a residents parking permit.

Mr Tillitt added: “We are hoping that DDC will have the courage to implement this ban and set a precedent for similar developments in the district.

“We are looking forward to continuing to work with F&P and their contractors as this development begins to take shape.”

Paul Vickery, of Foster and Payne said: “We are pleased that Dover District Council’s planning committee resolved to grant permission for our proposals at 46 West Street.

“The approved scheme evolved through extensive local engagement with groups such as The Anchor Action Group and The Deal Society and we thank them for their positive approach to our dialogue.

“We will shortly consider discharging the various planning obligations related to the scheme so that we can start construction as soon as possible, thereby bringing this long vacant site back into positive, beneficial use and provide much needed new homes in Deal town centre.”