‘Shoebox dull’ homes proposal
A parish council has slammed plans for new homes as “unimaginative, poor and dull”.
Proposals for nine abodes in The Street, Bearsted, have been criticised for their appearance and concerns it would cause traffic problems.
Two terraced blocks would be built, including a row of six three-bedroom houses and a second row of three three-bedroom homes, on parking spaces north of Crisfield House And Egypt House.
Each house would have a back garden backing onto the adjoining properties along The Street and allotments to the north and east of the site.
However, the design of the houses has been criticised for being too “bland”.
Cllr Valerie Springett, who lives in the village, said: “My two main concerns are firstly the access point, which is in an already busy part of the road by a junction, where traffic queues to get through the narrow street.
“Adding nine properties will increase the vehicle use of this access alleyway.
“The second concern is one of design, which is very bland.
“The new properties in Crosskeys are a good example of what can be achieved. I welcome the smaller properties in this proposal rather than larger properties.”
Bearsted Parish Council described the plans as “unattractive”. It commented: “There is little space for three bedrooms, inside or out. Terraced, especially non-period, housing does not reflect the parish.
“The design is unimaginative, cramped, very shoebox dull.
“It doesn’t reflect the character and nature of the village, not the nearby conservation area, nor the commercial site within which the proposal sits.”
A planning document on Maidstone Borough Council’s website says the plans are well-suited to the area.
It says: “We believe the proposals will make an efficient use of the site whilst respecting the character of the local area, making a positive contribution to the Bearsted Green area an established urban centre.”