Garden village in beauty spot looks set to be refused
Woodland would be lost in 1,750 homes plan
Plans for a garden village of up to 1,750 new homes in the Kent Downs look set to be rejected amid environmental concerns. Quinn Estates wants to build its Binbury Park estate north of the A249 between Maidstone and Sittingbourne at the former Detling Aerodrome site.
The proposal also includes provision for commercial space, a primary school, shopping centre, health centre, hotel, sports pitches and country park. There was also the promise of a park and ride scheme and improvements to Junction 7 of the M20.
But Maidstone Borough Council officers have recommended its planning committee rejects the plan when it meets on Thursday, due to its lack of sustainability.
The 125-page report describes it as a “heavily car dependent scheme that fails to make a positive contribution to climate change objectives”, and
one with limited access to public transport.
It also raises concerns about the site’s location in the Kent Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It states: “The council has a duty to afford great weight to conserving and enhancing the scenic beauty of the AONB. “The proposals would result in the urbanisation of a significant area of the AONB and would result in great harm to its special qualities.”
The report went on: “The proposals would result in the loss of ancient woodland, which is considered to be an irreplaceable asset.
“There are no reasons put forward which could be described as wholly exceptional for allowing the irreplaceable habitat losses.”
The outline planning application for the project was initially submitted in October 2018. Updated plans were filed last December, after the developers attempted to address concerns raised during a public consultation.
The plans have been opposed by the Campaign to Protect Rural England, which argues the development will spoil part of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as well as Thurnham Parish Council. The report also suggests there is no evidence of the need for such a large development, or for a hotel, and no guarantee the latter would not harm investment in local town centres.
The planning committee will make its final decision at Maidstone Town Hall tomorrow (Thursday).