A controversial housing development at a site once occupied by a historic manor designed by a renowned architect has been given the go ahead.

The contemporary apartment complex, where North Foreland Manor in Broadstairs once stood, will have 34 two-bed flats across five buildings, part three and part four-storeys high, with underground parking.

The site was once occupied by a large house, designed in the 1920s by architect Edgar Radgar, who lived there and was celebrated in his profession with a lifetime honour from the Royal Institute of British Architects.

The scheme had been met with fierce backlash with critics warning the "eyesore" will spoil the area, threaten ecology and add pressure to the busy North Foreland Road, which is already under strain with parking by beach-goers at nearby Stone Bay.

Some had previously also pleaded for the manor house to be preserved, before it was flattened.

Almost 50 objections were lodged, including from Broadstairs Town Council and the Broadstairs Society.

The application was called in to the planning committee in September for members to consider whether it represented an over-development of the site.

But Sunningdale House Developer, the firm behind the plans, says the environment has been addressed through the contemporary design.

The scheme has now been approved by district council planners who say it is considered to be a good quality form of development with a unique character that "complements the surrounding area, whilst providing good quality accommodation for future occupiers".

"The proposal will result in the provision of 34 residential units, which will offer economic and social benefits, with 30% affordable housing to be provided on site," the planners said.

"Whilst there will be some additional impact upon neighbouring properties when compared to the previous building, there are significant distances to each neighbouring property, and the development has been amended to set back the second floor from the neighbours, reduce ground levels of the development, and increase spacing between the blocks."

Less than one mile away, another contentious housing scheme, for 53 homes at Lanthorne Court, the old premises of the Forelands School, which has relocated, has been approved.

The site on Lanthorne Road also previously housed Turning Point and a care home, run by the NHS.

The proposal by NHS Property Services Ltd is for a new housing development which would involve demolishing the existing empty properties and building two, three and four-bed homes as well as one and two-bed apartments.

It received 11 objections, including one from the town council, with concerns about an increase in traffic, rise in pollution and the possible strain on community facilities and services.

But planning officers have approved the application stating it is a sustainable form of development and in keeping with the area.

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