‘Bleak, mediocre estate’ approved after changes
Councillors find their hands tied over first phase of 500 homes
A plan for the first stage of building 500 homes off Hermitage Lane has been approved – despite protests.
Members arriving at the Town Hall last Thursday were greeted by a protesters from the New Allington Action Group (NAAG).
They are upset at the plans by developer Croudace to build on fields to the east of the road.
But inside the chamber, councillors found their hands were largely tied by the former grant of outline planning permission given to the scheme by a government inspector on appeal in October 2015.
Planning officer James Bailey repeatedly warned councillors they could only consider “the layout, scale, appearance and landscaping” of the development, since the principle of building and the accesses had already been permitted.
He acknowledged there had been public anger over the large number of amendments to the original plans, with about 75% of it amended, and the short time – just seven days – the public had been given to comment, but said the changes were a reflection of officers working with the applicants to make improvements.
There was particular concern at plans to move the children’s play area from the centre of the site to a plot next to Bluebell Wood, which would have “a disastrous effect on ecology” and was “not the safest place to play”.
The planning committee heard public speakers describe the proposals as creating a “bleak, desultory estate, soulless and mediocre,” but Paul Brown, for the applicants, insisted the design had taken on board the concerns raised during many meetings with council officers. Cllr Tony Harwood (Lib Dem) moved the scheme for 183 homes be accepted and his motion was carried.
Allan Carey, managing director of Croudace Homes South Thames, said: “Croudace Homes was delighted to receive consent for the first phase. We look forward to working with Maidstone Borough Council during the course of this development.”
A further 317 homes will follow in later phases.