Supreme Court halts Dover outstanding beauty area homes plan

Farthingloe sits in an area of outstanding natural beauty

The Supreme Court has upheld an appeal against plans to build in an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB).

Dover District Council approved a 130-bed hotel, 521 homes and 90 retirement properties at Western Heights and Farthingloe in 2013.

After a number of appeals by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), the UK's highest court judged the permission quashed.

The council said it is "considering the implications" of the judgement.

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke called campaigners "out of touch"

CPRE Kent director Hilary Newport said: "This is the best possible news. We have been absolutely determined to save this beautiful and iconic area of countryside.

"Such significant harm to the AONB cannot be justified purely for economic benefit.

"This case is not just important to the people of Dover but for the principles of planning law; AONBs merit the highest possible level of protection."

A lengthy appeal process:

• When the application was originally considered, council planning officers recognised the negative impact the scheme had on the landscape and put forward proposals reducing the scale of the build

• Councillors rejected mitigation proposals and granted full permission

• The CPRE appealed the decision, but it was upheld by the High Court

• It was the Appeal Court in 2016 which quashed the application on the grounds the planning committee did not give legally adequate reasons for permitting a scheme, it went against their officer's advice, and an acknowledgement it would harm the AONB

• The Supreme Court has upheld that decision

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke said: "I am deeply disappointed by the decision.

"Everyone knows we need more housing, yet out-of-touch campaign groups like the CPRE are determined to do all they can to stop the homes we need getting built.

"The CPRE should listen to the young people of Dover, who desperately want new homes and stop undermining their hopes and aspirations of a better future."

There is potential for another application to be put forward for the site.

A spokesman for the council said it will be in talks with the developer China Gateway International Limited, because "the application, or an amended version of it, could be considered again".

The company said it will "decide which direction to take in due course".