A huge development of more than 1,600 homes, which some claim will leave a village 'ruined forever’, has been given the go-ahead.

In September the divisive proposal was deferred by Thanet district councillors hoping for an increase in affordable homes at the Birchington site, but no more were forthcoming and last night the bid was approved.

Developers Ptarmigan Land and Places for People applied for outline planning permission for up to 1,650 homes on fields at the edge of the village back in 2021.

The plans have received more than 1,800 objections since then, with concerns raised over inadequate infrastructure, the loss of farmland and the erosion of a peaceful and quiet way of life.

However, last night members heard the developers couldn’t meet Thanet District Council’s (TDC) guidelines on affordable homes while also achieving the profits expected by the authority.

Ptarmigan proposed that 15.5% of the homes - 256 properties - be sold or rented affordably, but on large developments TDC policy says it should be 30%.

TDC’s planning applications manager explained that according to policy, developments have to be commercially viable - with a 15-20% profit considered reasonable. Consequently, TDC aims for 17.5%.

Even with 15.5% of properties affordable, “the developer profit would be at 9.5% - so it is notably less than the target what we would expect,” he added.

However, this would still be a profit of about £50 million, and if they hit the target of about 17% profit, the figure would stand at £87m.

The planning boss continued: “I do understand that when looking at figures like this - £50m, £87m, it’s a lot of money.

“These are significant scale developments, profit is part of housing developments.”

It is possible the amount of affordable housing could jump to 23%, if Kent County Council gets money from the Major Road Networks (MRN) fund to help build the North Thanet Link Road, a major project which would create a six-mile route between the A28 and Manston Road.

Currently, the developers plan to build part of the road themselves - but if KCC receive the government money it will take pressure off them to do so and allow more affordable homes to be built without eating into their profits.

Councillors were divided over whether to accept the number of affordable homes, with the plans narrowly approved seven to six.

Cllr Jill Bayford (Con) said: “This committee is being asked to reach a decision without knowledge of the exact percentage of much needed affordable housing which will be available due to the uncertainty of the MRN funding.”

“I find this decision very difficult to make,” she added.

Cllr Rebecca Wing (Green) said: “We’re constantly being asked to reduce the affordable housing number when we see massive profits at the same time,” eliciting an applause from the public gallery.

Cllr Helen Whitehead (Lab), cabinet member for housing at TDC, raised concerns that if the scheme was rejected, developers could appeal their decision and it would ultimately end up with less affordable homes.

She told members: “What is being currently offered is actually above what viability says it should be, so again there is a possibility that if it went to appeal it could come back and we’d get less.”

Cllr Kristian Bright (Lab) backed the plans, going on: “There is a shortage of housing in the country, there aren’t enough homes being built and that’s probably because of councils and planning committees up and down the country saying no to proposals and applications on the basis of technicalities.”

“I don’t want to contribute to the problem. Ultimately we need cogent reasons for refusal, I didn’t think there were last time and I don’t think there are today,” he added.

Ptarmigan has pledged to give up to £45 million towards local services, including £8 million for a secondary school in Westwood, on top of the new primary school proposed.

The development will also include green space covering an area the size of 44 football pitches.

Speaking previously, Ptarmigan development manager Craig Neilson said the scheme will “benefit both new and existing residents of Birchington.”

Only councillors were allowed to speak during last night’s hearing, following the two consecutive meetings in September which heard from protestors at length, and lasted six hours in total.

However, speaking afterwards, local councillors shared their frustration at the result and argued there remains uncertainty around the scheme.

Cllr Phil Fellows (Con), who represents the Birchington South Ward on Thanet District Council, where the homes will go, said: “We’ve been fighting this for the last nine or 10 years.

“We thought we’d got to the point where maybe we’d got this over the line – after it got deferred last time we thought it was going to be rejected tonight.

“I’m disappointed for residents in Birchington and I just want to apologise that we haven't managed to get this rejected.

“It saddens me that Birchington’s going to be ruined forever.”

Birchington parish councillor Nick Blankley added: “It’s very disappointing.

“The parish council didn’t accept the allocation of this land at the local plan but it accepts that it is now allocated.

The scheme was narrowly passed by seven votes to six.