Homes saga continues despite £165k warning
A development for 421 homes in Otham has been rejected by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC), despite officials warning the developer fightback could cost the local authority £165,000.
The policy and resources committee met on Tuesday to discuss proposals to build dwellings around the Grade 1 listed St Nicholas Church, off Church Road.
The plan has faced criticism from residents and parish councils, particularly over traffic and road safety concerns.
The application has twice been denied by the planning committee and was then put to the policy and resources committee for determination, “given the significant risks of costs”, associated with the rejection. This is the council’s final stance on the matter.
Council officers recommended the plans be approved, fearing the developer, Bellway, will likely win an appeal lodged with Government agency, the planning inspectorate.
Bellway, which has already appealed over the non-determination of the separate outline plan, will lodge a fresh appeal after this blow. If the council loses, it could have to pay the developer’s legal costs, estimated to be £95,000, as well as its own predicted £70,000 costs. Planning committee members, giving their first reason for refusal, said the proposed traffic lights at the Deringwood Drive and Willington Street junction will result in severe traffic congestion on Willington Street. They feel the proposal will result in worsening safety issues on Church Road which have not been addressed in the application.
Officers warned those grounds could not be sustained at appeal, adding the first reason for refusal is “highly likely” to result in significant costs being awarded against MBC but reason two is a lower risk. However, on Tuesday’s meeting, councillors gave the same reasons when throwing the scheme out.