Residents in Kingsdown are outraged that developments to a conservation area property have been allowed because of a planning “loop hole”.

One of the fisherman’s cottages in North Road has had a velux roof window installed, which many say changes the character of the street.

The developers did not need to obtain planning permission - instead they had a Lawful Development Certificate which permitted the changes.

Daniel Couzens, of North Road, said: “When they created a large velux window, we all believed it was in contravention of a conservation area. They didn’t have to consult everybody in the street. That threw into doubt whether our conservation status is worth the paper it’s written on.”

Mr Couzens explained that much to their surprise, the residents haven’t broken any rules. He now says it is the law that needs to change.

He said: “Planners have said they cannot do anything about it but they have said before we wouldn’t be allowed to put a velux at the front of our houses.”

He said residents understand some changes need to be made for modern living but they all try to make the visual impact as minimal as possible. This means the street looks relatively the same as it did 100 years ago.

It was given conservation status in 1970 and Mr Couzens said this Lawful Development Certificate seems to be a “loop hole” around that.

They would like to see more definite controls and residents, including the Kingsdown Conservation Society, have been in consultation with Dover District Council about the conservation status.

Their aim is to see this increased to a status on a level with Middle Street in Deal.

Mr Couzens said: “The velux has changed the look quite dramatically which is a shame.”