Protesters fear the loss of a green gap between a town and village once nearly 50 houses and a large care home are built.

Finer details of a scheme have been submitted for almost 14 acres (5.58 hectares) of land located between Sholden and Deal.

The application already has planning permission meaning the overall principle of allowing development has been agreed.

District councillors will tomorrow vote on whether to give final consent for reserved matters including how the buildings will look and if agreed will pave the way for work to begin.

The scheme will see 48 dwellings and a 64-bedroom care home on disused overgrown farmland at Churchfield Farm behind Vicarage Lane and The Street in Sholden.

One objector, Martin Hewitt, said in Dover council's planning portal that 230 homes had already been built nearby after another application for separate development was submitted in 2016.

He wrote: "The Dover District Council chief planner at the time stipulated the importance of retaining separation between Sholden and Deal."

Yvonne Birchall said: "This is a wildlife sanctuary in an area that over the years has faced much development.

"It is now a haven for slow worms, and bats, both protected species, plus foxes, rabbits, butterflies and other such insects.

"I am sure you will say that this does not count in view of the march of development for human habitation. However, the trees alone are now very important as we face climate change."

Sholden Parish Council is also against the application, saying the sit has re-wilded and should not be developed.

A total of six letters objecting were sent to the council with people also saying that the development would also cause traffic congestion and put a strain on local resources and facilities.

The outline planning application had been submitted in November 2017, then for a 68-bed home, and locals had been objecting even before that.

That application was refused by planning councillors in August 2018 but eventually won on appeal.

Council officers are recommending approval of this final application.

A report to councillors said: "The appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the development are considered acceptable.

"The development would cause no unacceptable impacts in respect of the character and appearance of the area, the living conditions of neighbours or future occupants or the local highway network."

Highways England had also raised no objection.

The application is by Greenlight Developments of Worcester.

It had said a green belt of trees would provide screening and a buffer between Deal and Sholden.

It also proposed works to the junction of The Street with London Road down to Vicarage Lane to help vehicles and pedestrians.

And it has agreed to pay more than £340,000 to help towards education needs, libraries and fibre optic broadband.

The application will be discussed by Dover District Council's planning committee from 6pm tomorrow at the council headquarters at the White Cliffs Business Park in Whitfield.