Plans to flatten a factory to make way for 118 homes have been welcomed as the “ideal spot” for development.

Developers are seeking outline planning permission to demolish the buildings at the Flambeau Europlast site in Ramsgate, and erect dwellings in their place on the 8.6 acres plot.

The plastic supplier’s ambition is to relocate its current factory in Manston Road to another of Thanet’s business parks.

Bosses say the building’s condition, layout and heating costs are “hampering an efficient production process” and they are keen to move out.

In the current factory’s place could be 76 houses and 42 flats - with 222 parking spaces - if plans are given the green light by Thanet District Council (TDC).

Cllr Pat Moore (Labour) has welcomed the initial proposals as she believes Thanet is in “desperate need of housing”.

She says: “It is not a bad place to put housing as it is already on a site that was being used.

“It is next to Tesco and not far from the community centre so it is an ideal spot but they would need to increase the buses.”

Cllr Moore says there has been little housebuilding in the area for years.

“The more we can get off the housing list and into decent accommodation, the better,” she adds.

In 2017, plans to build 120 homes on the sites were approved, but permission has since expired, with the firm now registering a new proposal.

However, it says there is a “very strong likelihood” the scheme will not deliver affordable housing or make the full range of developer contribution requests, due to the financial viability of the project.

The extent of this is currently being examined and “whilst regrettable, it follows a similar conclusion reached in respect of the 2017 planning approval,” planning documents say.

However, Flambeau Europlas requests this factor be weighed against the other planning merits of the proposal.

A design and access statement says: “Flambeau is one of the largest employers in the district and the overriding objective of this application is to facilitate Flambeau’s expansion and increased competitiveness as a large manufacturing business.

“The overall economic benefits of this proposal for the Thanet economy combined with job security and growth is also a significant material consideration.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

So far, only one resident has officially objected to the plans on Thanet District Council’s planning portal, arguing there are too many properties being built near Manston Road.

In October 2022, plans to turn former allotments in the area into an 88-home were approved.

This was despite fears the development would “invade” neighbours’ privacy.

Then the council approved controversial plans for 250 homes on land between Manston Road and Nash Road last month.

And this was despite a head teacher raising fears over children’s safety at a nearby school.

Outline proposals for the estate caused concerns for the wellbeing of pupils at St Gregory’s Roman Catholic Primary School.