Additonal reporting by Local Democracy Reporter Katie May Nelson

Plans for a block of flats overlooking a village centre have been approved, despite objections from dozens of residents.

Proposals put forward by LSL Developments Ltd for the development in Walderslade Road, Walderslade – close to the village's shopping precinct – had been the subject of a petition with 55 signatures and a one-man protest from a pensioner.

Existing buildings, including a bungalow, will be demolished to make way for 36 flats in two neighbouring five-storey blocks. The flats will be a mix of one and two bedrooms.

Retired company director Alan Ellis, 81, took his campaign to the streets handing out hundreds of leaflets and waving a banner urging people to oppose the scheme.

Mr Ellis, who was at the planning meeting when it was given the go-ahead, said: "It's absolutely scandalous. We don't have the infrastructure to support this. There's not enough parking and the doctor's surgery is already full."

Mr Ellis, who lives in nearby Rush Close, said: "I have always voted Conservative and I shall be hitting them where it hurts by not voting for them at the local elections."

Mr Ellis added that most people he spoke to had not been aware of the development as statutory notices had been removed from lampposts.

He said: "I'm fully aware of the need for more housing in Medway, but this is totally inappropriate.

"The land has been empty for three years and it is an eyesore, so something needs to be done.

"Half a dozen lovely homes in a crescent would be acceptable."

Among those objecting to the plans was the area's MP Tracey Crouch, who said the development would put extra pressure on local infrastructure, parking within the village, and would impact the neighbouring residents in Walderslade Road and Rush Close.

The same developer got permission to build another five-storey block on a neighbouring site earlier this year.

During the council meeting, Cllr Adrian Gulvin (Con), who represents the area, said: "That building sits on a hillside. It will tower over the whole of Walderslade village.

"It will be too conspicuous; it will dominate the whole scene."

Cllr Gary Hackwell (Con) said: "If we look at the planning history, next door's almost got an identical building that's already been given planning permission.

"I think if we tried to defend a refusal of this, we would come unstuck."