Council tactics

The chairman of Langley Parish Council was one of many in the town hall left fuming after the decisions.

Cheryl Taylor-Maggio said: “KCC Highways strongly opposed the Sutton Road applications, but the borough not only ignored them, it brought in its own consultants who, surprise, countered the formal highways body.

“When will that tactic stop? Will the borough now appoint its own consultants to oppose other formal expert input it does not like – for example, flooding risk analysis by the Environment Agency?

“Not only did Maidstone’s planners ignore the serious traffic impact on the A274 and the Wheatsheaf junction, they also dismissed serious concerns about air pollution and urban sprawl. The air quality at the junction was considered acceptable, despite being among the worst anywhere in Britain.”

She also condemned the councillors who abstained, saying: “Are they not elected to have and apply an opinion?”