Garden centre development
The final chapter of Grafty Green’s garden centre drew to a close last week as councillors approved plans to convert the site into homes and offices.
The application, which has gained widespread support from residents and the parish council, will see Quinn Estates hand over a cash contribution of about £300,000 to pay for affordable housing and local infrastructure to supplement the building of 14 luxury houses and 5,500 sq ft of office space.
The developer has also promised to invest in broadband for the village of Boughton Malherbe.
Maidstone Borough Council’s planning committee voted through the application for the brownfield site last Thursday, despite a recommendation from officers to refuse due to concerns relating to a lack of sustainability and the developments encroachment onto some nearby greenfield land.
The garden centre in Headcorn Road was closed in 2015.