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Homes agreed on disputed site
MAIDSTONECouncil has granted planning permission for 420homes on a site in Allington that it had fought to protect at an appeal just weeks earlier. A year ago the planning commit-
tee refused Croudace Homes’ appli- cation for 500 homes east of Hermitage Lane because develop- ment of the southern “hospital field” would have required the cre- ation of a link road that would have eroded ancient woodland, known locally as bluebell wood. In June, planning officers de- fended the council's decision to a planning inspector after the appli- cant appealed. This decision is ex- pected in October, but now the planning committee has approved a smaller scheme, for 420 homes, be- cause the southern field would re- main untouched. However, a separate application
for 80 homes on the contentious field is undetermined. The council received 196 objec-
tions. Angela Poletti, from the New Allington Action Group, said the applicantwas “playing the system” by lodging two separate applica- tions after originally being turned down. “It is quite clear that Croudace is running rings around the planning system,” she said.
“This would open the door to the scheme for 80 homes.” Cllr Roger Levett, ofTestonParish Council, said: “The additional traf- fic will place a great burden on the already overloaded A26 between Teston andWateringbury – particu- larly during rush-hour.” Cllr Dan Daley urged the com-
mittee to put a decision on hold until the inspector had made a deci- sion. He said: “This developer has waited 20 years to get this far – they can afford towait for about another six weeks to see what the Secretary of State has to say.” However, the land (minus the hospital field) had been earmarked in the council's emerging local plans for housing, so the committee's powers to refusewere limited. Concern was expressed about a
lack of open space on the site, but of- ficers felt a developer contribution of £71,820 towards the Keswick Drive Play areawas sufficient. Other contributions included £570,000 for improvements at the A20/Coldharbour roundabout and £168,000 for pedestrian and traffic movements at the A26 Tonbridge Road/Fountain Lane junction. The committee voted for the scheme with six members in favour and four against.
Barn agreed on farm
THE decision to allow a new agricultural storage barn in Friday Street, East Sutton will enable an existing barn to be converted into a home. Maidstone Council's planning committee acceptedDamonBridger's ap-
plication for a 20m-high barn at Great Oak Farm. It will replace the exist- ing barn, which was given a certificate of lawfulness to be converted into a house in Feb- ruary. Cllr Tim Turnill, of East Sutton
Parish Council, said: “There is already a large barn and eight field shelters, a temporary resi- dentialdwelling andnowa stor- age barn. It is an 11-hectare site containing just 24 alpacas. This significant development for such a few animals cannot be financially viable.” Cllr Richard Ash, a member of the committee, said: “This is a housing de-
The existing barn and temporary home
velopment by stealth. There is no point to having a second barn; this is tak- ing the Mickey.” Three members voted against a motion to accept an application, but five
voteswere for it. An officer report said the development caused only limited harm to the open countryside.
Flats scheme for former village pub
01622 791111 Hall Road, Maidstone 01580 892733 Maidstone Road, Staplehurst 01580 892037 Station Road, Staplehurst 01233 850075 Ashford Road, High Halden
18 Maidstone South August 2015
THE former Kings Arms pub in High Street, Headcorn could be con- verted into eight flats and two retail units in a scheme that also includes a three-bedroom detached home on the site. The grade II-listed building, currently the home of Indian restaurant
3 India, is “underused”, according to the applicant.A supporting state- ment said: “The proposals would not harm the building’s historic char- acter or integrity. There are no historic features preserved within this building.” Maidstone Council will decide the planning application.
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