The final set of plans for a £40 million housing estate, 10 years in the making, have officially been approved.

A bid to construct 85 homes on Blean Common, near Canterbury, has been “a huge issue” hanging over residents ever since it was first submitted in 2015.

It led to lengthy delays, with the government only finally giving the go-ahead for the overhaul of farmland behind the Royal Oak pub in 2023.

Now, Canterbury City Council (CCC) has given the green light for a reserved matters application for the site, revealing the final layout and appearance of the development.

Entry to the site will be via the A290, while housing will be set back from the ancient woodland which borders the site to the north.

A natural play area will be at the heart of the project, while a dog-exercising area will also be built near the Royal Oak pub.

Originally a Gladman Developments scheme, Fernham Homes bought the site in September and hopes to see work begin in the summer.

Fernham bosses say the first homes should be ready for occupation by spring 2026 while the firm will invest £1.5 million in community infrastructure contributions.

An additional £229,000 has been pledged for public right-of-way upgrades, local highway network improvements, sports provision and management of protected natural areas.

The development will provide 26 affordable homes to the market.

Residents previously raised concerns over traffic and drainage, with the estate bordering the A290 and coming at a time when the Stodmarsh nutrient neutrality water quality issues continue to hold up major projects.

Parish council chairman Phil Hutt, who has lived in Blean for 23 years, previously said: “There is obviously an existing traffic issue through Blean.

“It’s a pretty fast road from Canterbury to Whitstable and this is going to put a lot more traffic onto that road.

“And the drainage is a big local issue. Even now there are places that flood in Blean when there’s heavy rain and I don’t think this is going to make it any better.”

The original Gladman scheme was rejected by CCC in February 2016, before being referred to the Planning Inspectorate which recommended the proposals be approved.

The city council then fought the Inspectorate in a High Court battle, leading to the Court of Appeal ruling the Inspectorate had to redo its inquiry.

That was carried out in February and March 2023, with the authority announcing in April that year that planning permission would be granted.