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downsmail.co.uk Woodland homes go-ahead


A PLANNING inspector has de- creed that more housing can be built off Hermitage Lane, Maidstone – despite the potential damage to historic woodland. Residents in Allington, together


with their local councillors who battled against the possible de- struction of Bluebell Wood, are dis- mayed at the decision by a planning inspector. TheNewAllington Action Group (NAAG) was delighted when both Maidstone and Tonbridge and Malling councils refused planning permission for up to 500 homes plus a school and community cen- tre, proposed by developer Croudace.A chief cause of concern was the road designed to divide the development, which would cut through the ancient woodland. After the applicant appealed, In- spector Paul Clark admitted that “in the worst case scenario” the scheme would result in the direct loss of part of Bluebell Wood, a designated ancient woodland, and that thiswas contrary to the current Maidstone Council Local Plan. However, he believed the loss


would be outweighed by the “sig- nificant benefits” the schemewould bring.


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fields which Croudacewants to de- velop and the inspector said a road through the wood would result in the loss of only 1.8% of the desig- nated area. Aletter by Julian Pitt, on behalf of communities secretary Greg Clark, said: “Although the small loss of an- cient woodland would technically infringe the requirements of the adopted local plan…the ecological effects would be acceptable. “The social and economic benefits


of the housing would be very sig- nificant. The effect of development on landscape character would be acceptable and there would be a positive overall environmental bal- ance.”


Although Maidstone Council has allocated the northern section of the proposed site for housing in its draft local plan, it had hoped the woodland and southern sections would remain public open space Residents had also fought their campaign on the issues of extra traf- fic, road safety and air quality but the inspector said he found no evi- dence to support this. However, he did impose 21 con- ditions on the permission, one of which is that Croudace must meet the cost of improvements to Junc- tion 5 of the M20. Cllr Tony Harwood said: “The residents are genuinely shell- shocked and distressed at this in-


comprehensible decision. “It is now depressingly clear that Secretary of State Greg Clark is con- tinuing at BluebellWooda tradition started by his predecessor, Eric Pickles when he rubber-stamped the destruction of 78 acres of irre- placeable ancient woodland at nearby Oaken Wood, Barming. “Thiswas not an either/or choice;


we could have delivered the new housing alongside the protection of our priceless ancient woodland her- itage.”


Fellow Lib Dem Cllr JamesWillis


said: “Bluebell Wood is a beautiful oasis and has been enjoyed by many. This scheme will decimate the linear nature of the wood.”


Park runners a colourful bunch


AN explosion of colour filled Mote Park when about 1,000 runners were show- ered in powder paint to raisemoney for Heart of Kent Hospice. Now in its second year, friends, fami-


Photo: Andy Archer


lies and workmates gathered at the pre- event party for an energetic warm-up for the Rainbow Fun Run before walk- ing, running or skipping the 5km route.


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