A bid to increase the number of homes on a new estate has been given the green light despite claims they will be “squashed” too close together.

Stonebond secured planning permission in September last year to build 160 properties off Bullockstone Road - an area surrounded by land already lined up for development or under construction.

The site had been earmarked for 190 homes by Canterbury City Council (CCC) in its housing blueprint - known as a Local Plan - but the developer applied for fewer, promising to deliver a “lower-density, landscape-led” project.

But now it has won approval to increase this number by 10% in a move criticised by locals.

Carol Davis, the chairwoman of Herne and Broomfield Parish Council, previously said: “It just seems to me they're maximising their profits, aren't they?

“It's the same piece of land so it means they're just squashing them closer together.

“The same issues of lack of doctors, impact on traffic and other infrastructure voids still apply.”

In papers submitted to the city council, Stonebond said increasing the number of homes on the land to 176 would help the authority meet its housebuilding targets.

It added the properties would be built “within the same development footprint to make the most efficient use of the site”, which is called Northwood.

On approving the plans, which were submitted in March, a planning officer from CCC said: “Given the separation distances retained from those properties to the north and surrounding the site, it is considered that the proposal would not have any adverse impact on the living conditions of neighbouring properties in terms of overbearing, overshadowing or overlooking.

“Having regard to the relevant policies in the Local Plan and the weight of the Local Plan, it does not indicate that a decision should be made other than to approve the application.”

They added that community infrastructure improvements would be made through developer contributions known as Section 106 payments.

A spokesman for Stonebond said: “We’re pleased to move forward with our plans to deliver these mixed-tenure, family homes.

“It’s important to note the site was originally allocated to deliver 190 homes, whilst our plans will deliver 176, and our high-quality designs will create a thriving new development.”

Work began on the plot at the end of last year.

Stonebond is also leading the development of 78 homes further along Bullockstone Road, at a former driving range. The plans were approved in 2022.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

When completed, the Redrow estate at the former Herne Bay Golf Club will have 580 homes, while Countryside Properties is set to build 800 more homes on land at Strode Farm.

In all, four housing estates are earmarked or under construction on land off Bullockstone Road.