A hugely controversial plan to build 450 homes on farmland has been rejected again after the developer's "insulting" bid to get the number of affordable homes slashed by half.

Members of Thanet District Council's planning committee turned down the outline application for the houses in Shottendane Road, Margate, which has faced mass opposition from the community.

In April, the plan was discussed and rejected after developer Gladman attempted to get the number of affordable homes - which under council policy should be 30% of the dwellings - cut to 10%.

This time, the firm tried 15%, claiming the build would otherwise not be financially viable.

But at a meeting last night, councillors raised concerns over the development in general and said the lack of affordable homes put forward was a disgrace.

Cllr Bertie Braidwood, who represents Westgate-on-Sea, called the amount, which was described by a planning officer as 'fair', an insult to the committee and council.

"Last July this council adopted something called a Local Plan. This was independently signed off and deemed sound," he said.

"Page 59 stated an area of more than 1,000 sq m shall be required to provide 30% of the dwellings affordable.

"We as a council cannot bend the rules to suit certain developers.

"If they cannot meet the requirements, then don't buy the land. Simple.

"I ask this committee to show courage, bravery and to show respect to your constituents that elected you.

"Show them that we welcome development in Thanet, but only when the local plan is being adhered to."

Cllr Candy Gregory also criticised the affordable housing number and raised other major concerns, many of which have been voiced by residents.

"It is their environment that will be decimated," she said.

"The 15% affordable offer, the objections of local residents, the 4,500 names on a petition, the high risk of flood and uninsurable, unsellable, uninhabitable homes, the strain on local services, the impact on the environment, air quality, roads and a multitude of other valid reasons are why this should be rejected."

Cllr Mark Hopkinson pointed out the £19.8 million profit estimated for Gladman through the scheme.

"I struggle to see the issue of viability [relating to affordable housing] there," he said.

"Perhaps it's to do with percentages and margins, but close to £20m profit seems to be a comfortable margin.

"I struggle to accept they can't provide what we as a council consider to be a very important figure for the residents of Thanet in terms of affordable housing."

Officers had recommended the planning application be deferred to them for approval subject to securing a legal agreement for the provision of 15% affordable housing, but this was rejected.

However, it was agreed a report setting out the reasons for the refusal should be presented next month, which can be used in the event of an appeal by Gladmans.

A spokeswoman for the Westgate and Garlinge Action Group Against Housing Development says they are pleased with the result but are "under no illusion that the fight is over".

"The strength of public opinion and the hard work of those that have gathered and collected data and turned it into good solid reasons for valid opposition to the large scale developments on inappropriate sites has now given our councillors the ammunition to vote with the courage of their convictions," she said.

"Thanks to the efforts of our group and support of councillors including Pauline Farrance, Candy Gregory and Bertie Braidwood we saw the previous vote increase from 4/7 to 1/11 against approving the application and sent a clear message that the public expect the council to represent our interests over the interests of developers.

"We hope this may be a turning point for how future similar planning applications are dealt with.

"We still assert that this development should not go ahead for many reasons including flooding risk and the lack of biodiversity assessments and mitigation.

"We will continue lobbying to stop this and developments on Garlinge and Westgate farmland."

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