A traveller site featuring eight static caravans is to be built off a main road after controversial plans were approved.

Dover District Council planning members voted eight against one for the development on land between the A256 and Sandwich Road at Waldershare.

Cllr Peter Jull (Con) - the one member who voted against the scheme at Wednesday's planning meeting - said he had received complaints about the "adverse visual impact".

"I would give a lot more weight to the visual impact of this site and I would not be happy to see this application approved," he said.

But Cllr Charles Woodgate (Lab), who moved the motion to approve, said: "I disagree with Cllr Jull and I do not think refusal is a realistic option.

"The site is less than two miles from where I live and I would be happy for it to be there."

Cllr Martin Bates (Con), who seconded the motion, said: "I live pretty near the site as well and I see no particular objection to this."

The application was specifically for 1.88 acres of land north of Eastling Down Farm Cottages and east of Sandwich Road.

A total of 38 residents writing into Dover District Council were against the plan (74%), while 14 were in favour of it.

Those against it feared it would create an isolated community and a poor living environment, with resident Peter Knight raising concerns about a lack of hardstanding and thought tenants would be "wading through mud".

But those supporting the scheme said the site has good road access and is not on a floodplain.