Developers hoping to secure permission for the larger half of a 450-home estate and new link road say they expect to formally submit plans this autumn.

Initial details about the second phase of the sprawling development in Shottendane Road, Margate have now been revealed.

The scheme would see 312 houses built alongside 10 acres of open space which would include five play areas and a protected bird habitat.

Bordering Margate Cricket Club and the cemetery, this stage of development would also bring a new southern link road and the building of a roundabout on Manston Road as well as cycle and pedestrian paths.

The first 138 properties of the project were given the green light in April, with work on the farmland already underway with hopes of having the first homes on the estate completed by spring 2025.

The developer, Places for People, has said if all goes to plan, phase two would start by next summer and say it will submit a reserved matters application - for details relating to designs and landscaping - by the end of September.

Exact plans for phase two will be unveiled at a later date but it is expected homes will range between one-bedroom and four-bedrooms with a mix of affordable housing.

The project will also adjoin a 250-home development between Manston Road and Nash Road, which was approved earlier this year.

Places for People acquired the Shottendane Road scheme from Gladman Developments in 2023 after outline permission was granted the previous year.

It was previously rejected three times by Thanet District Council in 2021.

Both the council and critics cited problems with the “insulting” number of affordable housing, flood risks, and wildlife and agricultural land harm.

Despite being given the green light, concerns were raised about the development when the first phase was approved in April.

Cllr Mike Garner (Green) feared the flood risk at the site, saying: “Some of us remember the vociferous battles over the amount of affordable housing and many other concerns that weren’t part of the reasons for refusal.

“I’m still saddened by the loss of agricultural land, but the risk of flooding is still a significant concern. Those who know the area and others will have seen a lot of water run-off and flood there over the winter.

“Unless that is catered for, then no matter the amount of affordable homes, they’ll be flooded.”

Cllr Rebecca Wing (Green) also raised concerns over environmental plans for the site.

She said: “It would be nice to know early in the development phase that the biodiversity areas are a priority and will be planted early and not left until the last minute.

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“I obviously shared initial concerns and voted against the original application.

“We are still sad we are losing an important area of farmland, but I do feel some of that has been taken on board, and hopefully, further improvements to biodiversity can be made.”