A revised scheme for a 250-home plan has been approved - despite the number of affordable homes being slashed by almost half.

It will mean the new housing estate on land by Salmestone Grange in Margate will have just 18% - split 70% affordable and 30% shared ownership - once built.

Piper Developments Ltd won councillors’ approval in 2017 for the homes despite huge outcry from critics.

But it was on the understanding 30% of the homes would be affordable, which is Thanet District Council's housing policy.

The developer however, in 2020, then asked for this number to be cut to 18% - from 75 houses down to 45 - stating any more was not financially viable.

Piper said if this wasn't possible another option would be providing the full 30% but none would be available to rent.

Critics warned any reduction would set a precedent for other developers to put in planning schemes based on the 30% figure, and then request the number be cut once the application is passed.

County councillor for Ramsgate Cllr Karen Constatine (Lab) warned at the time that making it acceptable would lead to this becoming the norm.

"This will mean we will never have the homes we need," she said.

"The expectation of 30% ‘affordable’ homes is in fact a minimum requirement. Councils should be pushing developers to exceed this minimum target."

But despite the concerns, the scheme with the reduction to 18% has now been approved.

In its report, Thanet District Council's planning team insists the authority's housing strategy is to prioritise affordable housing for rent to meet the needs of those on low incomes who are unable to afford alternative accommodation.

It says: "Whilst the proposed 18% affordable housing proportion would mean a reduction in the overall number of affordable units by 30, the requirement that 31 of the 45 units provided would be affordable rent, thereby providing homes to those most in need, with a requirement of the subsequent legal agreement requiring 100% nomination rights of occupants to be held by the council, is the option which maintains the principles of both the council’s Local Plan and housing strategy."

Developers are required by local authorities to provide a proportion of affordable housing, usually about 30%.

This helps lower income families and struggling first-time buyers through social housing, lower rents or shared ownership opportunities.

Members of the planning committee discussed the reduction and the matter was deferred to officers to approve.