Community benefits from solving flooding issues, parking, and traffic problems outweighed any concerns, as plans for Albert Road was given the go-ahead by planners.

The Quinn Estates' proposal for 142 homes, a nursery, an innovation centre, shop, and a relief road in Albert Road was given outline planning permission at the meeting yesterday (Thursday).

The controversial proposal is for an area where residents have been plagued by flooding for years, and rose a heated debate among the committee before it was approved.

The main issues were with highways and flooding, as Southern Water has stated the current sewerage network would be unable to cope with the increase in houses.

The developer has been working with Southern Water but many argue it will be impossible to find a solution for the new development if the water company does not know the cause of the existing problem.

Mark Quinn, director of Quinn Estates said: “There will be 180 construction jobs, 100 long term jobs. It brings forward a wide range of benefits and solutions to a lot of problems.

“Without your support this is an opportunity lost to the people of Deal.”

As part of a condition, Mr Quinn has pledged to pay for new pipe work which would mean improving the size from 450mm diameter to 1,050mm diameter.

Cllr Trevor Bond said: “I know for one thing that opening up of the pipes may give a little bit of peace to the people in Albert Road, to have all that extra capacity will alleviate the flooding.”

Chairman of the planning committee, Cllr Frederick Scales said every committee member shares Cllr Bond’s frustration with Southern Water.

He said: “There’s an opportunity to actually improve the infrastructure and the foul drainage in Albert Road, if we can get this right there could be some very good community benefits.”

Other conditions were put in place to solve some of the highway issues including double yellow lines and signage for HGVs.

A lack of schools, doctors and dentists was also raised as an issue against the 142 flats being proposed.

Funds to create this infrastructure will be part of a 106 agreement which comes back to the committee before full planning permission can be granted.

For the full story pick up a copy of next week's East Kent Mercury.