A large housing estate has been refused after district councillors were concerned about the impact it would have on the countryside.

The outline application by Richborough Estates Limited would have seen 117 new homes be built on Sandwich Road, Sholden, with 35 of them being affordable housing.

The site is almost five hectares and would’ve been around the corner from another new development at Betteshanger Park and Almond House, where 210 homes were approved in May.

Dover District Council planning officers had recommended the development should be approved but strong objections were made to the proposal from councillors both from Dover and Sholden.

Sholden parish councillor Paul Robbins told planning councillors last Thursday: “Every single significant application you approve for new housing in this area will contribute to the environmental catastrophe that is unfolding.

“Land and trees destroyed by this unwanted and unnecessary development, which you will have sanctioned, could have absorbed greenhouse gases. Concreting over more land will only lead to more flooding”.

Cllr Trevor Bond also believed the estate was in the wrong location: “I have concerns because it’s prime farming land and we’re putting houses on it. I don’t know why we’re continuing to do that.

"I don't see how primary schools can cope."

“I also don’t really see how primary schools are able to cope with capacity. I’ve had enough trouble this year trying to get children into the two local primary schools (Sholden CofE and Warren House).

“Whilst they could go to primary schools in Deal it would involve travel because the two local ones are completely full.”

Cllr David Beaney also questioned planning officers as to what benefits the houses would bring to the landscape: “For the benefit to overcome building on this area of Sholden, which is a lovely part of Deal, there isn’t much countryside left, can you list the benefits?”

Planning officer Andrew Somerville replied: “The balance of the report is saying permission can be given, it’s not saying there’s no harm but the overall benefits of the scheme are in favour of granting it”.

In the vote six DDC planning committee councillors voted to refuse the application on landscaping issues, with three voting for it.

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