The village of Minster is to grow substantially with the approval of a 214-unit housing estate.

The planning committee at Thanet District Council had agreed to give officers the final say on permission once legal documents had been completed.

The officers backed the scheme west of Tothill Street – by applicants and landowners the College of St John the Evangelist (University of Cambridge) and Spanton Farms – despite more than 40 letters of objection.

Loss of Grade 1 farmland, increase in traffic and impact on neighbouring properties were all cited as reasons for concern.

Reece Pugh, who represents Thanet Villages on the local authority, said: “I’m almost certain that it [the development] will completely transform Minster village beyond recognition.”

It has been estimated that the estate will create the need for 60 primary school places – this will apparently be met through the building of Manston Green primary school (work has yet to start on this).

The applicants claim 30 per cent of the development will comprise affordable housing.

Friday, October 8, 2021