A bid to tear down a row of popular shops has been given the go-ahead - despite concerns it would force cars to flood town centre roads.

JDP Limited plans to flatten the Ramsgate units - including Stage Door Arts dance school, the old Simply Danish furniture retailer and a Pilgrims Hospices branch - and replace them with smaller stores and 39 flats.

But the High Street scheme attracted dozens of objections from locals, as a number of them feared the absence of any parking spaces would overload neighbouring routes.

However, members of Thanet District Council's planning committee voted the project through on Wednesday, as supporters argued it would "completely transform" the area.

"What the developer has put forward is very good," Conservative councillor Paul Moore said.

"What’s being put forward is a complete transformation of that area of the high street, which is only going to improve it."

Matthew Gerlack, of JDP, told the meeting the plot’s town centre location and proximity to Meeting Street car park means the lack of bays would not be a major issue.

The block is set to host 32 one-bed flats, five two-bed flats, and two three-bed flats, none of which will be marketed at affordable prices.

Labour's Nick Everitt supported the development, but said he did so “with a heavy heart" due to the lack of cheaper housing.

A council planning officer told members studies showed that “with the provision of affordable housing the development would not be viable”.

Ramsgate representative Tricia Austin expressed mixed feelings about the scheme.

“There’s a great deal to like about this application,” the Green councillor explained.

“The design is a massive improvement on what we have at the moment.

“What I think is worrying is the number of flats as it appears to be considerably overdeveloped.

"Thirty-nine flats in this relatively small block is a hell of a lot.”

Mr Gerlack claimed the development would provide "much-needed sustainable residential accommodation".

He revealed that JDP is "already in discussions with smaller independents about renting the newly converted retail spaces".

He also insisted his firm is "proactively looking at options available for Pilgrims Hospices", which is currently operating out of one of the soon to be demolished shops.

But after the application was lodged with the district council in September, it attracted 35 objections in all.

One of them was from local Terence Huckstep, who stated: "The surrounding streets would provide little opportunity for parking and would blight the area if used.

"The flats themselves appear little more than rabbit hutches providing an over-populated small space."

Simply Danish owner Flemming Moberg also claimed none of the tenants running the high street premises were consulted about the project before it was unveiled.

"What’s being put forward is a complete transformation of that area of the high street, which is only going to improve it..."

His business relocated in November, while Cats in Crisis, which occupied one of the other affected units, was due to go elsewhere by the end of September before its lease ended.

Heidi Moran, who runs the space SDA shares with a community boutique, said the “development is not needed”.

“SDA has 250 students ranging from zero to 18 years old, plus adult classes," she explained.

"We took the building on in March 2020 – with a long lease – in the hope it would be our long-term home. This would be a huge loss to the community.”

Mr Gerlack stressed his company is "totally committed to the future requirements of any current tenants who have approached us expressing an interest to remain at these or any other premises within our portfolio".

All but one member of the planning committee voted to back the development.