CPRE pledges appeal over Dover Western Heights and Farthingloe homes

The developers are to contribute £5m to the Drop Redoubt fort at Dover's Western Heights

Opponents of plans for new homes in a Kent area of outstanding natural beauty have pledged to continue their fight after court action was thrown out.

The development at Western Heights and Farthingloe includes a 130-bed hotel, 521 homes and 90 retirement properties, and was approved by Dover Council.

An application for a judicial review by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) was dismissed in the High Court.

CPRE Kent has now said it will appeal against the decision.

At the hearing in December, Judge Mr Justice Mitting dismissed the CPRE's application on the grounds that the council's planning decision had been democratic and legal.

CPRE Kent director Hilary Newport said they still maintained the approval of planning permission had been unlawful.

They had decided to lodge an appeal "because protection of the Kent countryside, particularly the designated landscapes of AONBs (area of outstanding natural beauty) which should be protected by law, is fundamental to our cause" he said.