Councillors have ignored the authority’s own planning officers by refusing an “absolutely horrifying” proposal to install 91 extra caravans in Seasalter.

Alberta Holiday Park looked set to be given the go-ahead for a significant expansion at a decision-making meeting on Tuesday night.

The plan had sparked a wave of criticism from concerned villagers and a strong objection from the RSPB amid concerns over the impact on a neighbouring bird reserve on the Seasalter Levels.

However, planning officers at Canterbury City Council looked favourably upon the scheme and recommended the application for approval.

But councillors - led by Ashley Clark - sensationally threw out the project, claiming it would “totally destroy the landscape”.

They cited a string of concerns, including sewage problems, flooding fears, traffic risks and the impact on the environment.

Their decision to reject the plans from Park Holidays means the plot of green space off Faversham Road is saved from development - for now.

The holiday firm was hoping to create a new area for caravans on land unattached to the current Alberta complex, on the opposite side of the railway bridge.

Park Holidays was confident it had mitigated against previous concerns, and was planning to have the mobile homes occupied during a 10-and-a-half-month operating season between March and January.

But the expansion plan has been knocked back.

Cllr Clark hailed the neighbouring bird reserve as one of “high landscape value” and stated how it would be severely impacted by the installation of further caravans.

“This council has spent an absolute fortune over the last 15 to 20 years in compulsory purchases of the Seasalter Levels, and on improving the area because it is so important,” he said.

“It’s a shame we didn’t have an extra speaker here today, because if Sir David Attenborough had turned up I think we would have accepted his evidence and his view.”

The neighbouring wetlands possess a host of protections, including being a designated Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI).

It attracts an array of rare birds, and has recently undergone a £2 million redevelopment to boost wildlife habitats.

Cllr Clark went on to label the developer’s traffic report as “absolute nonsense” and stressed how the site is highly susceptible to flooding.

“We would not build houses here - but at least with a house you can go upstairs if you get flooded,” he said. “You can’t do that in a caravan.

“Caravans are more vulnerable because they get swept away.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Val Kenny (Lab) said: “The visual impact of 91 caravans is absolutely horrifying.

“We have issues in Whitstable already of over-expansion, lack of affordable housing, issues with sewage, parking, air quality and traffic.

“I cannot see how putting 91 caravans in Seasalter is going to alleviate any of these problems.”

Due to the officer report recommending the Alberta plan, Cllr Clark took a swipe at the authority’s planning department.

He said: “Something I’ve noticed after the last 11 years on the committee is there is a tendency to accept the words of so-called experts all of the time. But these experts never seem to reside or work in the areas where they profess their expertise.

“We might as well all go home. That is fundamentally wrong. If we’re going to have a planning committee, it must be allowed to exercise a degree of judgement based on their own knowledge and experience.

“If that’s not the case, then this committee is quite frankly a complete farce.”

Following a lengthy debate, 10 councillors voted against the scheme, zero voted in favour and two abstained.