Opponents to plans for two houses on a historic piece of land in Hythe are celebrating success.

Shepway District Council has thrown out the scheme for the junction of Windmill Street, Albert Road and St Leonard’s Road, known as The Triangle.

The land, which is surrounded by a wall and is a former animal pound, is Grade II listed.

The owners wanted to build two houses which they said would protect the site.

But The Friends of The Triangle presented a petition of opposition with 220 signatures.

Group leader Ashley Tanton said: “This is the outcome we had hoped for. Our focus now is ensuring that the landowners start to maintain the site.

“As a group, we have been overwhelmed by the support we have had from the community which has really paid off – we are glad that the council listened to the community. We are concerned primarily with the conservation of the former animal pound.

“The support, and the refusal of the plans for housing, reinforces our resolve to see this little piece of land cared for in a manner that reflects its heritage status.

“The council, in the planning report, touched on the idea of a community garden.

“We would welcome such a thing and will wholeheartedly support the owners if they were to proceed along this route.”

"As a group, we have been overwhelmed by the support we have had from the community which has really paid off – we are glad that the council listened to the community." Campaign leader Ashley Tanton

In addition to the petition, objectors formed a human chain round The Triangle last month to show their opposition.

Architect Darren Beeching said he could not comment until he had spoken to the landowners he represented.

A spokesman for Shepway council said: “In reaching its decision to refuse both planning permission and listed building consent, we concluded that building on the historic animal pound was completely unacceptable as it would not only damage this unique listed structure, but would also destroy the special setting that this area of centrally located open space provides to surrounding terrace houses.”

The land and wall were Grade II listed by English Heritage in 2012 after two trees were felled.

The Triangle was first used in the 1800s as an animal pound for stray livestock and for the slaughterhouse. It later provided a watering station.