Plans for a controversial housing estate have been given the go-ahead by council bosses after a long-running saga trying to get the project off the ground.

Fernham Homes announced proposals back in December 2021 to build 154 houses along with shops and a day nursery at Lady Dane Farm in Love Lane, Faversham.

Since the developer announced the scheme, it has seen various delays - including Swale Borough Council failing to meet statutory deadlines.

It has also been criticised by neighbours, who fear for the extra pressure on local infrastructure.

But after a fresh application was submitted in March this year - almost identical to its predecessor - council planners have voted to give the development the go-ahead.

Discussing its decision to approve the plans, the local authority noted that it directly linked to hopes of getting the borough back on track for its five year housing land supply.

A statement said: “It is considered that the proposals would not cause substantial harm to landscape character on an allocated site within the Local Plan.

“In terms of sustainable development, there would be some clear positive social impacts through the provision of housing and affordable housing, and some positive economic benefits through the delivery of commercial development and jobs.

“The initial 84 units as part of the full application would likely take no more than 18 months to two years to complete – resulting in an almost immediate positive impact on supply.”

As part of the deal, Fernham will have to cough up more than half a million pounds to help mitigate the impact of the development on existing services.

Primary and secondary schools will be given a set fee per house built and almost £137,000 will be contributed to the NHS to help ease the pressure on existing GP services.

The housing estate is set to be built in two stages across the 36-acre site, with a full application to erect 84 homes alongside three shops and work is expected to commence in 2024.

Bosses behind the project have also put forward outline proposals for another 70 houses, a nursery and a care home along with more shops and open spaces.

Overall, it is hoped the scheme could wind up creating 376 jobs - a much needed boost to the local economy.

The development getting the green light marks the latest twist in a long-running saga that has seen multiple amendments to the plans put forward.

In April, Fernham announced it would be launching an appeal to the government planning inspector after SBC failed to make a decision within the set time limit of 12 weeks - known as non-determination.

An identical planning application was also submitted to give the council another opportunity to decide on the development, while the planning inspector considers the appeal - with the new application subsequently being approved.

On the decision to lodge an appeal, a Fernham Homes spokesman told KentOnline at the time it was important to “have certainty on timescales for planning decisions”.

The statement added: “Fernham Homes submitted the original planning application at Lady Dane Farm in December 2021.

“Further information was provided to Swale Borough Council in 2022 and early 2023, including in relation to urban design and the significant economic benefits of the proposed development, to address comments which had been made.”

Planning papers submitted in 2021 said the scheme would “contribute in a positive way towards Faversham and its character”.

However, the development has long been controversial, with Faversham residents airing concerns over its impact on infrastructure, employment and biodiversity.

Cllr Eddie Thomas, who represents the Watling ward, said: “Having a higher number of residents in the town without knowing exactly how infrastructure will be improved, with things like roads and sewage where the bodies don’t have a good track record, does cause concern.

“It hasn’t fitted with the local plan, the need for local employment is still quite paramount and the revisions seem to have cut back on the employment unit they were building there.

“The other big concern with all of the developments is the cutting down of trees and hedges. Many people in the town are very concerned that the biodiversity is being harmed.”

The Lady Dane Farm development sits just a stone’s throw from a separate 284-home site built by Crest Nicholson.

Activist Carol Smith, of the Farms, Fields & Fresh Air: Faversham campaign group, railed against the plans following a virtual meeting held by Fernham Homes in November 2021.

“There are many things that concern us about these plans, which are on land used to grow blackcurrants,” she said.

“The Garden of Kent is quickly disappearing under more and more concrete and our soft and fruit farming heritage is being lost.”