Controversial plans for 15 homes on a horse field have been passed despite the scheme being branded a “soulless development”.

Almost all members of Dover District Council’s (DDC) planning committee voted for the proposal in St Margaret’s-at-Cliffe.

Fears over the project had been raised by neighbours, with eight members of the public writing to the authority to object, citing concerns over increased traffic and overdevelopment.

Caroline Warner said the scheme, which is set for New Townsend Farm off Station Road, is “more typical of an urban scene than a rural location”.

“This development is not compatible with the layout or density of the existing community which are mainly bungalows of individual builds,” she said.

“This is a soulless development that would be bad for any residents' mental health and bad for the environment.”

An additional objector, Jane Cook, told last Thursday's meeting: “Ten of these are four-bedroom houses, which can be expected to have two cars each. There is no public transport for commuting.

“We maintain that 40 or more vehicle movements per day is realistic. The proposed development exits onto Station Road, the junction is at the base of two steep hills where traffic frequently travels close to the 60mph limit.

“Any increase in vehicles entering Station Road at this point must raise safety concerns as an accident here involving vehicles travelling downhill at speed would likely be serious.”

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Edward Biggs (Lab) also raised concerns about the road.

He said: “I know that road really well, it’s a straight road and has a big dip and I’m concerned about the speed of traffic on that road.”

The outline application is by Esquire Developments of Longfield near Dartford.

They want to build the homes on a 3.39-acre horse field at New Townsend Farm, behind five existing houses.

Ten of the homes would have four bedrooms, the others would be affordable to rent or buy, and would be a mix of one bed flats, and two or three bed houses.

At least 30 parking spaces are planned.

Andrew Wilford, head of land and planning at Esquire, told the committee: “The development reflects the characteristics of the existing built form of St Margaret’s.

“The site will nestle well into the existing urban form and will appear as a logical development in the context of this part of the village.

“There is no objection from Kent County Council highways who have tested the scheme against the necessary safety standards and found the access to be appropriate and safe.”

Only one member of the public offered support to the scheme.

Karl Elliott said on DDC’s planning portal: “There is a need for a more diverse level of accommodation within the village.”

Council officers had recommended approval of the scheme.

Their report said: “There would be socio-economic benefits provided by the development at construction stage and when built, by providing new homes, which in turn would provide support for village services.”

Nine of the councillors voted for the scheme and one abstained.

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Cllr Nicholas Kenton (Con) said: “This is an allocated site, it’s been in the local plan all the way through. Inspectors found it acceptable. I can find no reason to refuse it.”

Cllr James Back (Con) added: “We don’t often get affordable houses even on large sites. Highways are comfortable with the road and new visibility splays.”