Delight for group as 550-home plan is pushed back

A 550-home development has been pushed back after it was controversially approved before the public consultation period had ended.

The Kingsnorth Green scheme was given the green light in November, but Ashford Borough Council (ABC) has now agreed to reassess the plans following a complaint from residents living near the proposed site.

Councillors gave the scheme the nod on November 14 last year - even though the public consultation was due to run until November 25.

The housing development included in the council’s Local Plan - is set to see 126 acres of land off Pound Lane, Magpie Hall Road, Bond Lane and Ashford Road developed.

Pentland Homes and Jarvis Homes are behind the plans to develop the site.

Kingsnorth Residents Association (KRA) hit back at plans to build on the area after claiming the council had not fully consulted residents in the Kingsnorth parish.

The action group formed after the development was given outline planning permission, as many residents claimed they were unaware of the application until it had been passed by the committee.

But now ABC has agreed to put the application back out to consultation following complaints from the KRA, Kingsnorth Parish Council and local councillors.

The authority is set to review the development in March.

Julian Fisher, chairman of the KRA said: “We are delighted the council has seen sense and put this back out to consultation giving the whole community the chance to be able to give its views on this.

“We started the residents’ association as the whole community was up in arms at the ridiculously short period of time we were given to respond to the original application.”

What do you think about the 550-home plan at Kingsnorth Green? Email kentishexpress@thekmgroup. co.uk

‘We are delighted the council has seen sense and put it out to consultation...’

Residents are pleased ABC has “seen sense” and allowed them the chance to comment