Residents have branded a decision to green-light plans for a 78-home estate “ridiculous” - amid fears Herne Bay will be flooded with new developments.

Stonebond’s bid to build the properties at the town’s former driving range off Bullockstone Road was given the go-ahead by Canterbury City Council this week.

Authority officials say the scheme “would not have an adverse impact on the living conditions of neighbouring properties”.

But local Billie Moore is concerned the town’s infrastructure will be put under strain by it and the 1,000 other homes earmarked for land nearby.

“It’s unbelievable,” she said.

“Herne Bay has grown a lot already, but there are no more schools, doctors, dentists.”

Labelling the decision shocking, resident Nicky Biggs predicts “we do not have the infrastructure to cope with these additional houses”.

The driving range project is one of four earmarked for land off Bullockstone Road.

Stonebond also wants to build 160 properties on a 14-acre field called Northwood, while 572 will eventually be erected on Redrow’s former golf course development.

And 800 more will be sited at Strode Farm.

Herne and Broomfield Parish Council chairman Carol Davis added: “I’m not happy about the driving range being approved.

“They are allowing all these extra houses.

“It’s not going to be an improvement.

“It will just make traffic worse and the infrastructure including hospitals and schools will suffer.”

Bosses from Stonebond insist they are “meeting the authority’s expectations” on contributions to infrastructure in the wider area.

And city council officers stress Kent County Council has requested “financial contributions towards secondary education, community learning, youth service, libraries and social care” in the town.

They added: “The proposed development is liable to pay the Community Infrastructure Levy, so these contributions as well as any contributions towards healthcare improvements will be secured through that means.”

“It is considered the proposal would not have an adverse impact on the living conditions of neighbouring properties in terms of overbearing, overshadowing or overlooking.

“The proposal is also considered to provide accommodation of an acceptable amount and quality to future occupiers.”

Drawings show every home on the driving range plot will have solar panels and an electric car charging point.

Work is expected to begin in early 2023 and will continue for about two-and-a-half years, with the first residents arriving in early 2024.

Thirty per cent of the properties constructed will also classed as “affordable”.

Responding to concerns surrounding the project, a spokesman for Stonebond said: “We engaged with local stakeholders and the community throughout the planning process, addressing specific concerns they had,” a spokesman said.

“As a result of those conversations, we’re improving the existing pedestrian walking route along Bullockstone Road.

“Additionally, sustainable drainage measures will be used to mitigate any potential increase of flood risk.”