Call for rethink on plans for 2,800 homes

Residents are calling for a rethink on plans which could see up to 2,800 homes built off a congested main road. Protestors say Hermitage Lane cannot take any more traffic and a petition asking town hall planners to halt further development has been signed by more than 750 people in less than a week.

The group also posted a video showing the extent of the gridlock, which has been shared tens of thousands of times online.

There was some good news for the campaigners, supported by Lib Dem county councillors, this week, after action was promised to ease congestion at the junction with London Road by the new McDonald’s, Aldi and Poundstretcher.

Work is being undertaken to better co-ordinate the traffic signals with nearby junctions.

There is also a proposal to widen the Maidstone-bound section of Hermitage Lane between the A20 and new retail development.

But concerns remain over Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s (TMBC) Local Plan, which earmarks eight sites along the road deemed appropriate for as many as 2,800 extra homes. In contrast, the Maidstone council part of the road, could see up to 577 houses built.

On Saturday, 30 residents met at Beechwood Community Centre in Tarragon Road to discuss the proposals.

Speaking at the meeting Barbara Woodward, chairman of New Allington Action Group ( NAAG), said: “The road is already working at capacity. We have problems with ambulances being held up trying to access the hospital and I’ve known the journey from one end to the other take 40 minutes. It makes life unbearable and if thousands of extra homes are built it will be chaos. We have to be sensible about where we put them.”

TMBC’s housing need for the plan period, which runs to 2031, is 13,920 new homes.

Cllr James Willis, who represents Barming ward on neighbouring Maidstone Borough Council, said: “Before TMBC looks at building more houses it needs to look at the possibility of a new link road and the availability of open spaces.”

The next meeting takes place at Barming Heath, on the corner on Heath Road, from 2pm on Sunday. To view the petition visit tinyurl. com/KMhermitage