‘HOUSING PLAN UNCONSCIONABLE’
Government urged to act on homes for congestion blackspot
A contentious decision to build more than 800 homes at a notorious traffic blackspot could be reviewed by the Government, after an intervention from two MPs.
An application to build 840 homes on land bordering Hermitage Lane and the A20 London Road was approved by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council’s (TMBC) planning committee.
This was despite numerous objections, including from Maidstone Borough Council.
The plans, by Gladman Developments, also include a primary school and road improvements. Now Tracey Crouch, MP for Aylesford and Helen Grant, MP for Maidstone and The Weald asked Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to ‘call in’ the application and review TMBC’s decision. Following a meeting with Mr Jenrick, both MPs wrote to the Secretary of State outlining their concerns about the impact on roads, health care and schools in the area, if building went ahead.
Mrs Grant said further house building at this part of Hermitage Lane would be ‘unconscionable’
Ms Crouch said: “The meeting was an opportunity to articulate in person these issues in some detail. The secretary of state was very much in listening mode and said he would receive further guidance. Residents are enormously worried about the impact this development will have on the already creaking infrastructure.”
Mrs Grant said: “Most people in Maidstone are staggered further development in the vicinity of Hermitage Lane is even being considered. The effect upon traffic in this already gravely congested area is of particular concern and I am also worried about the impact this development could have on other vital infrastructure such as GP surgeries, which are already under pressure in Allington and Barming. I therefore really hope the Secretary of State does call it in so that a proper examination can be held, exposing the inappropriateness of this development in full.’
The development will be made up of two to five bedroom homes with 40% of them allocated to be affordable housing as well as open space.
Gladman will help fund a better link road to the M20.
The site, which is bigger than 50 football pitches, features in TMBC’s draft local plan, currently under examination.