‘The last green space in the heart of our village’

Controversial plans to build 19 homes next to a historic village pub have finally been approved.

Developers at Pentland Homes first submitted their scheme – next to the grade IIlisted Kings Head in Shadoxhurst – in November 2015.

Their plans were given the green light by Ashford Borough Council’s planning committee last week, almost two years after the development was first mooted.

Shadoxhurst Parish Council clerk Judith Batt criticised the plans, under which land off Woodchurch Road will be turned into a cul-de-sac.

“We are grateful that the current layout is reduced to 19 houses, not the 24 which was originally applied for,” she said. “But there are still too many and the number needs to be lowered further to give the village a good-sized village green and go some way to protecting the setting of the Kings Head. This is the very last green space in the heart of our village.” Developers say the scheme provides a “natural extension” to the housing already built opposite on the other side of Woodchurch Road.

Fifteen two-storey houses will now be built as part of the scheme, as well as four one-bedroom flats.

The plans were approved by the planning committee last Wednesday, despite Mrs Batt’s concerns.

She said: “As a key focal point of the village, this open green space is a vital ingredient to the setting and sense of place in Shadoxhurst.

“It is beside a grade II listed popular and well-respected public house that is part of the pride of the village.

“Placing a housing estate around it simply places it in an urban situation.

“There have been amendments to the design but many of the principles and the design issues have still not been addressed to our satisfaction.”

How the new homes next to the King’s Head in Shadoxhurst will look