Residents who “rigorously” oppose plans for a newly approved housing estate claim there are “still too many unanswered questions” over the project.

Councillors on Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s (FHDC) planning committee gave the green light to a "high-quality, contemporary scheme” for 40 homes off Station Road in Hythe last week.

This was despite concerns over increase in traffic, the scale of the buildings and the size of the development.

The proposal came from Kingston Homes, which had originally wanted to create 44 homes on the currently empty green space.

However, last year a new application was submitted to FHDC for 40 homes, which is still 10 more than is allocated for the plot in the area’s Local Plan.

It will be made up of 28 family-sized homes and 12 flats.

The scheme was originally put before FHDC’s planning committee in January, but the decision was deferred after members asked for reductions in the height of the flat block.

More information was also requested on the scheme’s viability assessment, as no affordable homes are set to be provided at the site.

As a result, architects Hollaway Studios reduced the height of the apartment building by 0.5 m.

FHDC independently reviewed the viability statement, with the applicant agreeing to enter a clawback mechanism where if more profit is made to the site, this will aid in funding affordable housing at other estates in the district.

Yet at the meeting, residents felt there were still “too many unanswered questions” to warrant granting approval.

Emma Bussey said: “Recent alterations to the apartment roof are minor and do not address concerns regarding overdevelopment of the plot and loss of privacy to existing residents.

“The developers have failed to adequately justify the significant increase from the Local Plan and the inclusion of the apartments when there are currently a number of unsold new flats in Hythe.

“We repeated the traffic survey and recorded 34,000 vehicles in one week, with 5,000 drivers travelling over the speed limit. That’s 5,000 potential accidents.

“All other applications for this site for at least two years have been rejected on the grounds of road safety.

“There are still too many unanswered questions and insufficient information for us to endorse these plans, which we rigorously oppose.”

In total, 85 comments opposing the scheme were logged on FHDC’s planning portal, with none in support.

Hythe Town Council (HTC) also opposed the scheme, and at the meeting, deputy mayor, Cllr Stephen Bailey, said: “The difference in the level between the block of flats and the houses would appear overpowering.

“HTC considers the design revisions insufficient.

“Our suggestion is that the issues relating to size and proximity could be addressed by reversing the design with smaller dwellings, fewer dwellings or both.”

Cllr Paul Thomas (Ind) added: “I don’t know what, as a committee, we expected in terms of a reduction in height, but I’m not sure if the plans were the major reduction we were expecting.

“What’s before us tonight is above what was included in the Local Plan, so I’ll say again, I’m still very concerned about the lack of support for affordable housing from a development of this size.”

Overall, the scheme was approved with nine votes for, two against and one abstention.

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Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Martin Whybrow, HTC member for West ward, said: “The Plans & Works committee at Hythe Town Council was unanimous in objecting to the proposed development at Station Road in its current form. Like many residents, we had a number of concerns.

"Firstly, it doesn't conform with the Local Plan, which allocated the site for 30 properties. Developers should not be able to pick and choose which parts of a statutory plan they will comply with.

"The development is also, in our opinion, out of keeping with the surrounding properties and street scene, particularly the blocks that will face onto the road. I have lots of sympathy with those neighbours who fear overlooking and loss of privacy.

"And I am disappointed that Kent Council Council Highways had no objection to the road access to the site. This opens onto a hazardous section of road, with poor sightlines at either end and a record of traffic incidents."

Following approval, a spokesperson for Hollaway Studios said: “Hollaway Studio and local developer Kingston Homes are delighted that our residential development on land off Station Road in Hythe was approved.

“This high-quality, contemporary scheme will deliver a total of 40 properties in a highly sustainable location within walking distance of Hythe High Street.

“It has been carefully designed to respond to the site’s steeply sloping topography and reflects the local vernacular through its use of gabled forms and external materials, including Kentish ragstone.”