New homes and a block of flats will be built next to two schools - despite concerns over crime, anti-social behaviour and an “overbearing” design.

The development by Kentish Projects Ltd involves building 23 houses and 15 flats on Stirling Way, Ramsgate, near the Royal Harbour Academy and Laleham Gap School.

The land is also next to the Eurokent Business Park site, which has planning permission for 550 houses - nodded through on appeal by the former Secretary of State Eric Pickles, after Thanet council refused the plans in 2011.

The Kentish Projects development was met with 32 letters of objection, with concerns about it overlooking the schools and the noise and disturbance to children during construction.

Developers were also accused of creating an overbearing design, with a lack of parking and Ramsgate Town Council questioned the size of the rooms in the properties.

Kent Police flagged up concerns over a number of concealed areas that would be “ideal for unsuitable activities, including crime and anti-social behaviour, which could increase the fear of crime for residents”.

But in a report, planning officers at Thanet District Council said amendments had been made to address some of the issues and therefore the proposals were approved.

The report stated: “The site is allocated for housing development within the Local Plan, and the proposal provides a good quality scheme that reflects the surrounding character and appearance of the area.

“The impact upon highway safety is considered to be acceptable, and the impact upon neighbouring occupiers is considered to be dealt with through the amended scheme along with safeguarding conditions that will provide appropriate mitigation.

“A new pedestrian link/cycle link is proposed, and 30% on-site affordable housing is proposed, along with a number of off-site financial contributions to mitigate the impact of the scheme.

“Overall the proposal is considered to be a sustainable form of development.”

The new homes will be modular, meaning they will be constructed off-site and then assembled on-site.

“It is a form of construction that is being promoted at a national level as a highly efficient means of addressing the housing delivery deficit and is likely to be affordable."

It is one of the first developments in Thanet to use this construction technique.

Hume Planning Consultancy, on behalf of Kentish Projects, said in the planning statement that this method would make construction quicker.

“The site is highly suitable for the type of modular housing proposed due to its unique location on the edge of a business park where it is surrounded by contemporary buildings of varying scale, height and appearance.

“It is a form of construction that is being promoted at a national level as a highly efficient means of addressing the housing delivery deficit and is likely to be affordable.

“The residential development would complement the character of the business park and Newington residential estate by introducing consistently designed, contemporary buildings combining an industrial/ residential design approach,” they added.

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