Contentious plans to build on the site of a Grade-II listed former RAF mast used to spot enemy aircraft in the Battle of Britain have been resubmitted.

The proposal would see a two-storey data storage facility erected in the shadow of the historic structure on land just outside Faversham, in Courtenay Road, Dunkirk.

The site has been at the centre of a long-running and complex planning row going back nine years, with many neighbours resistant to development on the site.

Previous bids for the building were rejected in 2013 and 2015, but the green light was finally given in 2018 after concerns relating to noise, ecology, heritage and archaeology were addressed.

However, the planning permission has since expired, forcing applicant Origin Power Services to put forward what it says is “effectively a resubmission” of the approved proposal.

In documents submitted to Swale Borough Council for consideration, it says: “The scheme offers the opportunity to use the former RAF mast site more efficiently, offering a service to support the future communication needs of businesses and to secure the future of the mast.

“The site is unusual in that it contains a mast tall enough to have a clear line of sight to central London and to the continent and also in close proximity to high-capacity cables under the A2/M2 corridor which has fibre optic cable linking the site to central London. The A2 is located 320m to the south of the site.

“This offers very good potential for high-speed and secure data storage and means the site is well-located to provide a secure data storage facility with more than one means of data transfer.”

If approved, the scheme would see a two-storey building built on the site, with room for seven parking spaces.

However, there has again been resistance from residents, as well as Dunkirk Parish Council.

In its response to the proposal, the authority writes: “Dunkirk Parish Council voted unanimously to object to the planning application on the grounds of concerns over the uncertainty surrounding noise levels, which are considered unacceptable.

"Here we are nine years later - it can’t have been that important as nothing has happened..."

“If the council are mindful of granting planning permission, we suggest that further investigations are made regarding noise attenuation examples, especially at other data storage facilities.”

Resident Sally Wills, who says the building will “be in my direct sight”, also has concerns over the noise levels.

“Near enough opposite me, where they’ve got equipment including the generators, the noise can get unbearable sometimes,” she said.

“I have complained about the constant droning.

“When they first put the plans in, they told us how important it was for the banks in London; it was top-notch stuff and the rest of it. But here we are nine years later - it can’t have been that important as nothing has happened.”

Angela Penrose has objected on behalf of a friend who lives opposite the site.

“Her main concern is the noise pollution that will be generated by the outside cooling fans, and from time to time the emergency diesel generator,” she writes.

“Although the plan states that this noise should be mitigated and reduced, in reality the noise will be audible 24 hours a day, even if at a reduced level.

“This will impact the quality of life for those living in the immediate vicinity.”

Previous versions of the plan also included a museum to commemorate the area’s importance in the Second World War.

This has since been scrapped, as it was believed to be unviable, and it has been suggested information boards explaining the history of the site could be erected instead.

Origin Power Services plans to continue to pay homage to the site’s historical importance.

“The original radar station and mast played a pivotal role in the defence of Britain during World War II and the Cold War that followed, and conservation officers have recommended that the new data centre should reflect the style of other buildings built for defence purposes at that time,” says the business.

A decision is hoped to be made by January 9.