Controversial plans to add another 88 homes to an already sprawling housing estate have been approved.

A bid to extend developer Crest Nicholson’s 196-home development – dragging the total up to 284 dwellings – in Lady Dane Farm, Love Lane, Faversham, was first mooted in July 2021.

But despite backlash from concerned locals, Swale Borough Council (SBC) gave the plans the green light after they were rehashed multiple times.

SBC officials said: “The scheme would deliver additional housing, and although it would take it above the approximate quantum of dwellings required for this site, the council is unable to demonstrate a five-year supply of housing land.

“Kent County Council have confirmed that the part of the site envisaged as coming forward as a school is not required to meet demand.

“As such, in the context described above an alternative use of this part of the site for residential is considered acceptable.”

Previous proposals had to be adjusted after the developer came under fire for a perceived lack of starter homes – with only 22 set to be as a one- or two-bed.

Volunteers from the Faversham Community Land Trust (FCLT) led calls for Crest Nicholson to rethink proposals with director Steve Atkins branding the original scheme “unacceptable”.

The company reduced the number of four- and five-bedroom properties from 31 to 22, while the proportion of one- and two-bedroom homes was bumped up from 22 to 28.

And as part of the deal, Crest Nicholson has signed a legal agreement with the council which will see the developer dish out more than £1 million in contributions to public bodies.

Kent County Council will be given two separate payments linked to secondary school education amounting to at least £644,000.

The local NHS trust will also be given almost £90,000 to help ease pressure on local health centres while a further £50,000 will be used to pay for open spaces on the estate.

And in a boost for environmentalists, each house in the latest phase will be fitted with an electric vehicle charging point installed by the developer – a requirement before anyone can occupy the home.

The confirmation of the new-builds means there will be more than 400 houses across two unrelated developments on the land.

Last month, plans for a Fernham Homes development of 154 properties to sit alongside the 284-strong Crest Nicholson estate were confirmed after a long-running saga.

Fernham first announced the scheme in December 2021, with the homes to be accompanied by a day nursery and shops.

The Fernham estate is set to be built in two stages across the 36-acre site, with a full application to erect 84 homes alongside three shops. Work is expected to commence in 2024.

It is not yet known when construction will start on the rest of the Crest Nicholson estate.