News
Village anger at homes plan for hospital site
ADETAILED proposal for the de- velopment of 177 new homes in Aylesford has been given plan- ning permission, despite contin- ued opposition from hundreds of villagers. Tonbridge and Malling Council
gave outline planning permission last year for the redevelopment of the Preston Hall hospital site and the conversion of the Grade II listed hall into 36 apartments. The scheme was vehemently op-
posed by the Royal British Legion Residents’ Association, who called it “insensitive and unsustainable” and criticised the number of houses, which was later cut from 318 to 208. A new application by developer Redrow Homes Ltd seeking ap- proval of details for the demolition of former hospital buildings and re- development of a large part of the site was recommended for ap- proval by planning officers. Coun- cillors granted full planning consent subject to the receipt of a slightly modified layout plan.
The proposal includes 53 two- bedroom flats, 12 two-bedroom houses, 31 three-bedroom houses, 66 four-bedroom houses and 15 five-bedroom houses. Most of the homes would be two storeys with five three-storey blocks in the area closest to the M20. A further block of flats and a number of houses are proposed on an area to the south of Preston Hall itself. The plan also in- cludes new roads, play areas and open space. People living in the adjacent
Royal British LegionVillage remain “unanimously opposed” to the
David’s Driving School
proposal, said residents’ associa- tion chairman John Jackson. Commenting on the latest appli- cation, Mr Jackson, of Heaf Gar- dens, said: “As a community we now hope and pray that finally common sense might prevail and that these ill-conceived and ill-con- sidered plans are rejected in favour of something altogether more sen- sitive and sustainable, and in the best long-term interests of the ex- isting community, and of those who might in future make this vil- lage their home.” Concerns were raised about parking levels, the potential for rat- running through the site and the lack of thought given to medical or school provision. However, planning officer Robin Gilbert said the overall design and layout were acceptable. The comments of the residents
and Mr Jackson were noted but could not be considered as they did not relate to the submitted details and the principle of development had already been established.
downsmail.co.uk
Target figure for houses too high, saysMP
SIR Hugh Robertson,MP for Faver- sham and Mid Kent, says Maid- stone Council needs to “go back to basics” to assess its housing need. The MP, who covers parts of Maidstone and Swale, said the two local authorities had approached the issue in very differentways. While communities secretary
Eric Pickles has said it is up to local councils to determine their own housing numbers, based on the 2012 National Planning Policy Framework, Maidstone had gone for a “huge” number – 18,600 homes between 2011 and 2031 – in comparison with Swale, whose tar- get of 13,500 homes between 2006- 2031 he described as “tiny”. He said: “We need to ask why
there are such huge discrepancies and give our councillors support to help them to obtain a realistic hous- ing number.” The MP says that the average
house would contain two adults and two children, so 18,600 new homes would create a settlement 80% the size of Maidstone town. He said: “These are vast numbers and the infrastructure cannot cope.”
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