Green light for common homes

Plans to build six new homes on a privately owned common outside Canterbury have been approved.

Developers hoped to build the semi-detached homes off Sweechgate in Broad Oak.

Their plans were waved through by the city council’s planning committee on Tuesday night – despite fears over the impact on great crested newts.

Committee member Ashley Clark said: “I was saddened when I went to look at this site because I saw a piece of land that was a piece of history in the village.

“I am surprised no one put in a village green application for it.”