Hallelujah! Nuns’ joy as homes near abbey get rejected
Sisters to stay put after inspector’s ruling
Plans to build 65 homes next to a 1,000-year-old nunnery have been thrown out.
The sisters threatened to move out of St Mary’s Abbey in West Malling if Bellway’s proposals, for land next to Lavenders Road and Swan Street, were approved. The developer had originally proposed building 80 homes, but the figure dropped by the time a planning inquiry was held in August.
Dozens of locals, including the Mother Abbess herself, Mother Mary David, spoke at the meeting to say the development could harm the tranquillity of the area.
When asked if the group of 12 nuns could leave the 10th century abbey, Mother Mary said: “Yes. We do occasionally wonder whether we ought to leave. “If the noise and the general busyness prevents us from living our life and prevents the guests from having quietness and spaciousness we would think about it.”
But a potential exodus has been halted after the Planning Inspectorate dismissed Bellway’s appeal last week. Mother Mary said: “We are delighted with the outcome. We are grateful and humbled by the amount of support we have received during this process. “We and our guests are now looking forward to continuing our life at the abbey in the God-centred quiet and peace.” Planning Inspector Frances Mahoney visited the abbey grounds at the end of the inquiry. Publishing her findings, she said: “My experience of the area was of moments of tranquillity, but of an enjoyment and appreciation of being out in pleasant gardens, serenaded by bird song and the wind in the trees.”
West Malling Parish Council dipped into its reserves and received £16,000 in public donations to help fund a legal fight against the development, thought to have cost £70,000. Tonbridge and Malling MP, Tom Tugendhat said: “I am pleased the proposal has been dismissed. It was clear to anyone who knows West Malling that the impact of housing here on St Mary’s Abbey would have been significant.
“Having called the application in to the Government, they have confirmed to me that they also agree with the Inspector’s decision. This will no doubt be a relief to all concerned.”
“This is a victory for our community, the sisters, and all those who contributed to the fundraising effort to support TMBC in its objection to this proposal.”