Residents battling to stop up to 90 homes being built in a village have been defeated - despite fears the countryside is being “concreted over”.

More than 100 neighbours had objected to the outline plans for the field in Capel-le-Ferne, between Dover and Folkestone.

Concerns raised included fears for the environment and wildlife, loss of farmland and the extra traffic the development would bring.

But at the latest meeting of Dover District Council’s (DDC) planning committee, members approved the application for land between Cauldham Lane and Capel Street.

Officers at DDC had recommended approval.

Their report to the planning committee said: “The sustainability of the site, noting its proximity to public transport and facilities and services available in nearby settlements, has been considered acceptable.

“Up to 90 dwellings could be accommodated at the site in such a way that would preserve the character and appearance of the street scene, countryside and landscape.”

Chris Pragnell, from applicants Quinn Estates, told the meeting: “The result will be a highly attractive landscaped community extension offering a range of much needed homes.”

A total of 109 letters of objections had been sent in by residents to the council, with concerns over flooding also flagged.

One disgruntled villager, Beryl Bracegirdle, previously told KentOnline the project would lead to “concreting over the countryside”.

Another resident said: “There’s a great problem of drainage in the field behind me and those houses would probably be prone to flooding.”

Capel-le-Ferne Parish Council was also against the scheme.

Villager Peter Cocks, representing that council at the meeting, told the committee: “There are concerns about surface water in extreme weather conditions washing onto Capel Street. This is from both the downward gradient of the access road and the bottom corner of the site field, increasing the flood risk further down Capel Street.

“The parish council would like additional surface water drainage to be installed to future-proof against flooding.”

The officer’s report said the 11-acre site, following a risk assessment, is classed as in an area that has the lowest risk of flooding.

Even so Kent County Council’s (KCC) flood and water management department recommended a planning condition to demonstrate that requirements for surface water drainage are met.

KCC’s highways department had carried out a traffic assessment and concluded the expected traffic impact was not enough to warrant a recommendation to refuse the application.

The scheme is for two-storey houses, 30% of which would be affordable. The site is earmarked for housing in the current Local Plan.

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Eight members of the planning committee voted in favour, with one abstention and none against.

Cllr Nicholas Kenton (Con) said the scheme should be voted for now and further scrutinised when it returns as a detailed reserved matters application.

He remarked: “The devil will be in the detail when it comes back and I’m sure that will be grilled. The principle is already there so I see no reason why we should refuse it.”