Contentious plans to build 49 homes on disused agricultural land in a village have been refused by district planners.

Villagers in Monkton had mounted a campaign fighting the proposals for the new homes, which they argued would swamp the area and put a strain on roads and community facilities.

Critics also warned of the impact on access to existing houses and the local ecology.

One of the main concerns was the cumulative impact of housing developments in the village, including a plan for 32 new homes and the recent approval of nine houses on land opposite 150 Monkton Street.

But the hugely unpopular plan for 49 houses, by Heyhill Land, has been turned down by Thanet District Council, with an almost unanimous decision and one abstention.

Cllr Reece Pugh, who represents Thanet villages on the district council, says it sends a message to developers that they can't just offer more Section 106 contributions and expect plans to be approved.

"This development would have changed the character of the village," he said.

"I'm very relieved, as I think a lot residents are, particularly with the issue with the road because that would have completely changed the access.

"A lot of residents would not have been able to get into their homes."

He says villages such as Monkton, Acol and St Nicholas are attractive places for developers to build houses.

"They are lovely places to live therefore they sell quickly," he said.

"But this shows that it's not so clear cut and hopefully lessons can be learned here."

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