Huge opposition sees houses at vineyard rejected
Affordable homes scheme turned down
Controversial plans to build seven affordable homes on land that is part of a working Weald vineyard were rejected amid an “unheard of” amount of opposition.
Developers Gold Property Ltd wanted to develop Lamberhurst Vineyard in Furnace Lane, Lamberhurst Down, with a mix of three two-bedroom bungalows, three three-bedroom houses and one four-bedroom house. In planning documents submitted to Tunbridge Wells council, Gold Property said: “The vineyard is currently unviable with grape sales being less than the cost of production.” Council officers were recommending the scheme be approved citing the council’s lack of a five-year supply of housing, which means they have to look more favourably on developments.
Laura O’Brien, the agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the bid at the planning com
mittee meeting last Wednesday. “The application before you is for a small development of seven social rented homes for people on the housing register with a local connection to Lamberhurst,” she said.
“The houses will be retained in perpetuity as social rented affordable housing to be managed by a housing association with strict restrictions on the rent levels that can be charged.” However, opposition to the scheme was strong, with 194 letters of objection. Neighbours were mostly concerned about the impact on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in which it sits, and the adverse effect on the landscape, the loss of agricultural land and the fear that approval would open the way for more development on the rest of the vineyard. Lamberhurst Parish Council also objected saying the application was inconsistent with the national planning policy and also contrary to the Lamberhurst Neighbourhood Plan. Goudhurst and Lamberhurst representative Cllr Dr Linda Hall (Con) said: “I have served on this planning committee for 20 years. It is unheard of for any application to garner 194 objections – it simply confirms the outrage of the Lamberhurst community.”
Cllr Graham White, chairman of Lamberhurst Parish Council, said the plans would “drastically affect a treasured asset”.
The planning committee voted by eight votes to four to oppose the development.
Lamberhurst Vineyard was set up in 1977, one of the first commercial vineyards in England.