A highly controversial plan will be discussed at a council meeting tomorrow despite the government advising people against non-essential travel due to COVID-19.

The Conningbrook Park scheme, which would see 725 homes built on arable land in Kennington, Ashford, was originally floated in mid-2018 and was submitted for council approval last January.

Since then, the project being joint-led by Quinn Estates and Redrow Homes has garnered more than 1,000 objection comments and only 74 support comments.

An employee of the prolific developer was sacked after KentOnline revealed fake comments - including one allegedly from a one-month-old - had been left on the so-called Large Burton application.

The scheme will be heard tomorrow, with the meeting being live-streamed on YouTube.

Also known as Large Burton, the project would see a new community hub built alongside the homes as well as a new school and bowling club.

Significant amendments have been made since the scheme's inception, following negative reports from a number of authoritative consultees.

In one damning report, Kent County Council's highways team suggested a journey along nearby Canterbury Road could take up to 35 minutes during rush hour - a sevenfold increase on the current four minute and 55 second journey.

Off-site highway improvements have been added to the scheme following this report including works to increase the Simone Weil Avenue junction, which developers say will improve the journey time currently experienced during rush hour.

A petition was also created and signed by hundreds of residents adjoining the fields.

Originally the plan was set to be discussed last month but the decision was made to postpone it until tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18.

Since the initial cancellation, however, coronavirus has gripped the world and Prime Minister Boris Johnson advised everyone to avoid non-essential travel.

The elderly and those with underlying health conditions are particularly encouraged to self-isolate and socially distance themselves.

The COVID-19 outbreak led to the cancellation of a long-awaited meeting meant to be held on Saturday, discussing the future of the Bockhanger Community Hub site.

However it has not prompted Ashford Borough Council to postpone tomorrow night's meeting.

A spokesman for the authority said it "has decided to only go ahead with key decision-making committee meetings.

"These include the planning committee on Wednesday, March 18 and the special Planning committee on Wednesday, March 25."

The latter meeting is being held to consider the Newtown Works film and TV studios application, also being headed by Quinn Estates.

Councillors have reportedly objected to the Large Burton meeting being held tomorrow, however the council has said the committee will be discussing the project while a live-stream will be available on YouTube.

Other items on the agenda include 100 homes in Kingsnorth and 63 homes at Finberry.

To view the Large Burton planning application, search 19/00025/AS in the Ashford Borough Council Planning Portal.

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