A council will be hauled before the High Court for a second time this year for granting a developer rights to build on protected land.

A Judicial Review in February brought by campaigner Tim Steer ruled Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s decision to approve an eco-holiday village in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was “irrational and unintelligible".

Despite the ruling costing the taxpayer tens of thousands of pounds, planning chiefs again voted against officers’ recommendation to scrap plans for the new holiday resort at Little Densole Farm in Canterbury Road in Densole, near Folkestone.

Drawn up by Lucy and David Westgarth - friends of council leader David Monk – the proposals include a fishing lake, tennis courts and putting green.

But now Mr Steer will bring Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) before the courts again for, what he calls, “blatantly questionable decisions".

He said: “Not for the first time the council will waste taxpayers' money defending the blatantly questionable decisions of its planning and licensing committee, a committee which in my view is not fit for purpose and is unable to grasp or follow policy and legislation.

“It might appear to some that this particular committee simply follows its own agenda.

“The decision to approve if unchallenged would result in the permanent destruction of the districts unspoiled AONB.

“The inappropriate decision to approve will now unravel once again in the High Court.”

Cllr Monk insisted he had no involvement in the planning bid, amid revelations in the national media of his close relationships with the Westgarths.

Deputy High Court Judge John Howell granted the latest Judicial Review, dubbed Timothy Steer vs Folkestone and Hythe District Council, this week.

“It is at least arguable (the council) failed to give any reasons for rejecting their officer's appraisal that the development and associated landscaping proposed would not conserve the existing character of this part of the AONB,” he said.

The hearing date is yet to be specified.

John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance branded the situation "insanity" and the planning committee "foolish".

He said: "Einstein said that the definition of insanity was doing the same thing twice and expecting different results, and Folkestone and Hythe District Council has shown that with a second court case that will also cost taxpayers a huge amount.

"Maximum scrutiny should be applied to this case to ensure there is no conflict of interest as the landowners and council leader openly admit to being friends and the council is going against the recommendations of its' own officers.

"Building more houses is to be encouraged, but this seems an entirely foolish place to start."

Cllr Clive Goddard, planning and licensing committee chairman, said the council will seek legal advice once again.

He said: “Leave has been granted by the court to apply for Judicial Review in respect of Little Densole Farm.

"The council has nothing further to add and will be seeking legal advice.”