Taylor Wimpey’s application for 226 new homes on land off Station Road in Walmer has been approved.

The application came before Dover District Council’s planning committee for the second time this year, at their monthly meeting in Whitfield, last night.

Despite objections from Walmer Parish Council, a huge number of residents living in Station Road, John Tapping Close and Mayers Road and a petition with 22 signatures from caravan owners in Clifford Park, councillors stuck to the officer’s recommendation for approval, voting seven to three.

Before approval was granted, Cllr Pat Heath spoke on behalf of Walmer Parish Council voicing people's general concerns.

He said: “Over 200 people attended public meetings in Walmer to register their objections to this application. There is a lot of concern as Station Road and Mayor’s Road are subject to regular flooding because the site slopes towards them and they have been told that the drainage and sewerage system is already at capacity.

“The development will increase traffic along Station Road and thereby increase the scale of the queues waiting to get on to Dover Road.”

He added: “I think this development will have a detrimental impact on the quality of life of the local residents in the area.”

Councillor Trevor Bond who is keen to protect green spaces in Deal and Walmer was also against the development.

He said: “Until I see infrastructure in place to makes this sustainable and safe and to allow the people of Deal and Walmer a good quality of life, I will be voting against this.”

However, the majority of councillors deemed the development to be a positive for the area. It met all financial requests and will include 66 affordable homes, which the area requires.

The developer had also carried out an extensive and comprehensive traffic survey suggesting a Highway improvement scheme for the junction of Station Road on to Dover Road. Improvements to avoid congestion included extended yellow lines and work to realign the kerb on Station Road, widening the carriageway for buses and lorries to turn.

Cllr Butcher said: “It will work, can work and with provision, I feel confident with this.”

For more on this and reactions, pick up next week’s East Kent Mercury - out on Thursday.