A bid to build a new 42-home estate on the outskirts of Whitstable has been given the green light after councillors applauded its environmental credentials.

Developers put forward plans for 23 houses and 19 apartments on land sandwiched between the old and new Thanet Ways, near the Long Reach roundabout.

Among a raft of eco-friendly benefits, the houses will be fitted with solar panels, and there will be charging points for electric vehicles in all allocated parking spaces.

At a planning meeting on Tuesday, city councillors approved the proposal.

Among those supporting the scheme was Cllr Nick Eden-Green, who described it as a "considerable advance on any other development we have had" in terms of "modern insulation and eco-dwelling standards".

"I give notice to officers and this committee that any future developments of five dwellings or more, I will be looking for that sort of thing," he added.

"For triple-glazing, charge points outside dwellings, all of the other issues one would expect in a modern development,including solar panels.

"If we do have applications coming forward in future without those attributes, I will be questioning them very strongly indeed, and ideally voting against them."

A number of changes had been made by developer Quinn Estates in response to feedback to the application.

These included reducing the number of houses from 28 to 23 to increase open space on the site, and scaling down the apartment block to two-storeys, with accommodation in the roof space.

Representing the applicants, Luke Harrison told the committee how the site - which neighbours the Harrier Lodge Care Home - offers "housing of exceptional quality".

"It boasts energy performance in excess of policy requirements, including solar panels and EV charging in all houses as standard," he said.

"It also results in a new pedestrian cycle crossing over the Old Thanet Way.

"This crossing would benefit everyone and further enhance the connectivity and sustainability."

Plans show there will be 46 parking spaces to serve the 23 houses, and 20 to cater for the 19 apartments - with nine visitor spaces also provided.

Seasalter councillor Ashley Clark (Con) said: "What is really good for once is we have adequate parking - Hallelujah - with two spots per dwelling and one per flat, and nine visitor places," he said.

"That is something that is sensible and useful."

There will be one main access route into the estate off the Old Thanet Way.

Gorrell councillor Val Kenny (Lab) was one of two councillors who abstained during the vote this week, while 10 members supported the plans.

In highlighting her concerns, she criticised government housing targets which have been imposed on Canterbury City Council.

"I appreciate in the way the development has been improved since the initial application and I’m grateful for that, especially in regards to environmental features," she said.

"My concern is it’s outside the planning area for Whitstable and that Whitstable already has huge pressure on housing and green spaces.

"What is really good for once is we have adequate parking - Hallelujah..."

"Perhaps if we weren’t being pressurised by our national government this plan might not have seen the light of day.

"That is my objection, rather than objecting to the improvements the applicant has made to the design."

There will be one main access route into the estate off the Old Thanet Way.

It is close to a proposed development of 28 homes which was approved last year.

Developers have told how they hoped to start work in the summer on the four semi-detached houses and 24 apartments in Montpelier Avenue.