A controversial bid to build 50 homes near a Kent village has been approved, despite fears for local badgers.

Developer Abbey Developments Ltd wants to build a mix of houses and maisonettes at Manor Farm off Chestnut Street in Borden, near Sittingbourne.

Outline planning permission was granted in December 2019, meaning the homes were approved in principle, but details on the layout and landscaping have now also been given the green light by Swale council.

One version of the plans rests with a planning inspector, after the developer asked the government to step in as it had waited so long for a decision.

Swale council had turned down the initial application due to fears over insufficient parking, poor quality public spaces and impact on spoiling the environment for ramblers using a right of way on the site.

But members approved a modified version of the plans, with a changed layout, more parking spaces and changes to the footpaths.

With the modified plans approved, it is unclear whether the developers' appeal to the planning inspectorate will proceed.

The application attracted a small protest outside Swale council’s HQ, with objections coming from Borden Wildlife Group, the parish council and eight residents.

Vivien Smith, who joined the demonstration donning a badger mask, fears the homes will threaten local wildlife in a “very rich area for biodiversity.”

Sceptical of the new designs, she said “Whatever they’ve done and whatever they’ve said, whether there’s four car parking spaces or six, it’s still devastating for the local wildlife.

“All of our local wildlife is under so much serious threat now.”

The wildlife group said the plans could “cause conflict between residents and badgers”, the latter relying on the area for their survival.

“All of our local wildlife is under so much serious threat now...”

They were also concerned for birds of prey, bats, bees and other insects.

Cllr Peter Marchington (Con) is on the planning committee and attended the meeting.

He argues that national policy on housebuilding disproportionately affects the south east of England.

“The south east has got an unfair disadvantage as the land value goes up so much, so it’s the developers’ main target,” he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The development will feature two one-bedroom maisonettes, 16 two-bed houses, 24 three-bed properties and eight four-bed houses.

Five of the homes are earmarked as affordable housing.