Delighted residents are celebrating after divisive plans were refused for a new cafe next to gardens where a castle once stood.

Last year, applicant Peter Wilson revealed designs for a single-storey kiosk alongside Sandown Castle Community Garden in Deal.

Neighbours were split over the proposals, with some raising concerns about parking, while others believed it would enhance the area's appeal.

The new cafe building in Sandown Road, at the northern end of the town, was set to replace a former kiosk which had to be demolished after falling into disrepair.

Having been demolished in 1863, all that remains of the castle, initially built by Henry VIII, are ruins. A garden has now been created around its old walls.

Members of the Friends of North Deal told councillors at Dover District Council’s planning committee on June 12 that many residents had petitioned for the green space to remain public.

Speaking at the meeting, Eyvor Fogarty, representing the association, said: “This area is not a grass plot waiting to be built over, it is a community space, a green space.

“We have so little, and this application divvies it up and removes its usefulness from what little we have.

“Where is the public benefit in this application? A cafe? There already is one.

“A permanent structure, in the middle of green space, parking in a cul-de-sac, adding noise and litter. What provision has been made for these?”

In total, 98 objections and 66 supporting comments were lodged on DDC’s planning portal.

The council’s planning officers also recommended the scheme be refused, listing the loss of green space and the introduction of a building as harming residential amenity, by detracting from the area’s open landscape.

Their report added that the proposal would impact the heritage of the scheduled monument, Sandown Castle, with the site positioned inside the relic’s former moat.

But on behalf of the applicant, Clive Tidmarsh of The One Architecture, expressed immense benefits the application would bring to the area and disputed the objections over its location within the former castle grounds.

“Our proposal offers an opportunity for a local businessman to develop a facility. He will invest and pay a lease for this site. I urge members to support this application,” he said.

“It’s accepted that our application divides opinion, but I consider the number of objections unfounded.

“Currently, a mobile van offers refreshments adjacent to the site. There are no toilet facilities, and the owners enjoy the privilege of using the green for their customers.

“We have demonstrated that our proposal is entirely outside the heritage asset and does not, contrary to what your officer says, conflict with the original moat. A drawing has been submitted showing this.

“Furthermore, we simply disagree that it harms the setting. The reality is that the castle was allowed to fall into the sea and no longer exists.”

Members of the planning committee swiftly voted to refuse the application, noting the impact it would have on the neighbouring Sandown Castle.

Speaking to KentOnline after the meeting, Eyvor Fogarty added: “We are delighted that this green space will remain for the people of North Deal and future generations.

“How few and far between green spaces are in the area, with most being a part of private gardens. It is so difficult to have.

“It all would have been lost in this application except for an area of sloped ground, which those with disabilities and children would have been unable to use.”

Sandown Castle was one of three defences, along with Deal and Walmer, built under the orders of Henry VIII to guard the Deal coastline.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

The castle suffered sea damage in 1785.

It was remodelled in 1805 and prepared to defend against a possible invasion by Napoleon’s forces from France. It was eventually demolished in the 1880s and 1890s after being decommissioned in 1863.