Plans for 67 homes at the site of a Banksy painting which was controversially torn down have been given the green light by councillors.

The artist confirmed he was responsible for the piece on the side of a derelict 500-year-old farmhouse at Blacksole Farm near Herne Bay last month - but it had already been demolished.

The artwork was created in the bricked-up window of one of the site's disused properties, and showed the silhouette of a boy opening curtains with a cat sitting next to him.

Builders working on the project later said they had no idea it was a genuine Banksy when they destroyed it, and "felt sick" when they learned it was one of the elusive artist's pieces.

Workers at the Broomfield site managed to fish out the remains of the piece from the rubble of the torn down building, which are believed to be in the possession of the landowner.

The building was razed to make way for new homes at Blacksole Farm, proposals for which were formally submitted at the end of last year.

Developer Kitewood Estates will construct a "landmark" four-storey block of 49 flats and 18 two and three-bedroom houses in place of the dilapidated structures.

The scheme forms the latest part of Kitewood’s vision for the area, which includes plans to build a drive-thru McDonald’s at the nearby Altira Park.

Canterbury City Council officials recommended the homes bid for approval, and it was unanimously voted through by councillors at planning committee meeting yesterday.

Documents reveal how the land is in an allocated employment site under the authority's adopted housing blueprint.

However, the planning officer said it was clear the site was no longer needed for employment, following evidence from the draft local plan and marketing carried out by the applicant.

The officer added: "The site is sustainably located within the urban area of Herne Bay and as such represents a suitable location for housing."

Councillors generally supported the application but some had reservations over parking, access and a lack of green space.

Cllr Ian Stockley (Con) said: "My main concern is the footpath which runs across the railway line on a dedicated footbridge which then goes in front of 17 parking spaces.

"I am concerned about the safety and access of that path.

"Although there are a number of people who will be using it from this development, there are a lot of people who come in from the top-end of Mickleburgh Hill who also use it to access Sainsbury’s and other retail areas further along.

"I am concerned about the position of the parking but apart from that, I welcome it."

Plans for the development include a play area, green corridors and amenity space.

Financial contributions of almost £70,000 will be made by the developer towards sports pitches and green space off-site.

But Labour councillor Val Kenny said: "I think we’ve all learnt in lockdown the need for green spaces near people and I am concerned there is not enough green space on the site.

"Having experienced a number of these sorts of buildings, unfortunately they tend to get crammed into a site with very little green space for families."

The scheme also attracted objections from concerned residents.

One argued: "I’m concerned about the build-up of traffic this will cause coming out of the Talmead Estate and the traffic coming out of the Thanet Way.”

Meanwhile, another claimed "there is no requirement for more housing" in the area.

But Kitewood insisted it did not anticipate "any unacceptable highway impacts".

Despite some worries about the plans, councillors voted them through unanimously.

Records show Blacksole Farm dates as far back as 1529.

Kitewood has owned the site for several years, but it has fallen into a state of disrepair, having been regularly targeted by vandals and unruly youths.

Papers show its barn was gutted in a fire in August, while a report compiled by structural engineers from Mason Navarro Pledge says the old listed farmhouse was in "complete decay".

"The building has fallen into disrepair for almost two decades," the company stated.

"This has resulted in a complete decay.

"In our opinion, all building fabric, finishes, roof as well as the structure would require replacement as those areas are beyond reasonable repair."

The whereabouts of the recent Banksy painting is still unknown, but contractors pulled its broken remains out of the skip after realising its significance.

Shortly after, rumours that the artist himself had been spotted at Blacksole Farm circulated after a mysterious man in a bowler hat was seen.

A local street-art enthusiast said he had been left "heartbroken" after he spent two years "badgering" Banksy to decorate his town, only for the work he finally did to be destroyed.

Jacob Smith is set on keeping the piece in Herne Bay where it was created, as "the work was done for a purpose - to benefit the town".

The art is not the first Banksy to be taken apart in Kent.

His work in Margate was dismantled by Thanet District Council just hours after he claimed responsibility for it, and is now being taken out of the wall by an Essex art gallery to be displayed at Dreamland.