Revised plans in a controversial scheme to build 153 homes on a possible Black Death burial site look set to be given the go-ahead.

Developers behind the proposals for Westwood Lodge in Poorhole Lane, Margate, have unveiled an amended layout which involves retaining more trees and creating wildlife corridors, including hedgehog highways, through the site.

Changes have also been made to the height of the new homes and how they will look, as well as moving them further away from the historic buildings already on the land.

It follows huge outcry over plans to develop the wooded site, which is home to Grade II-listed Westwood Lodge.

Last year, former developer Places For People Homes Ltd pulled out of the scheme and Rooksmead Residential Ltd agreed terms with L&G Modular Homes on a revised set of proposals, relating to appearance, scale, layout and landscaping.

These will go to Thanet council's planning committee next Wednesday, with a recommendation they be approved.

The original outline application for the houses was refused in 2015 but granted permission by the Planning Inspectorate on appeal in 2017.

The site contains a number of Grade II-listed structures including Westwood Lodge, which was built in 1864 as a holiday home for a London stockbroker, and a 17th-century farm cottage and coach house.

Listed flint entrance gates to the site will be preserved and used as part of the plans, so not to become redundant.

The site is thought to be a former medieval burial pit for people who perished in the plague. However, a heritage study carried out as part of the application says this could not be confirmed.

Under the plans, the new homes will be terraced and semi-detached - 30% of which will be affordable - with between two and four bedrooms.

The Broadstairs Society was among those raising objections to the scheme, citing habitat loss, over-development and change to the character of the area among its reasons.

Protesters from campaign group Thanet Trees also demonstrated against tree clearance at the site last year, while dressed as zombies, pointing out their fears that a development of the land would be "heading towards environmental apocalypse".

Some 34 objections were received by the council on the amended scheme, with many critics concerned over the loss of the woodland, impact on local ecology and destruction of the green wedge - the open area which maintains the distinction between the countryside and built-up locations.

But in council documents due to be discussed on Wednesday, Kevin Pressland, biodiversity and horticulture officer at Thanet District Council, says if the land management proposals are enacted as envisioned, it could be an "exemplary example for flora and fauna connectivity and people's enjoyment".

"As a result of proactive communication from the developer and their consultants we have achieved a development that should greatly improve biodiversity and retain as many trees as possible on this site whilst allowing this much needed development to achieve the number of houses Thanet needs," he added.

To see the plans visit https://planning.thanet.gov.uk/ and search reference R/TH/20/0174.

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