Councillors have thrown out a “predatory” developer’s plans to build hundreds of homes in the villages of Smarden and Brabourne Lees.

Gladman Developments submitted its plan for 50 homes near Charter Hall in Smarden and 125 homes at Hospital Field in Brabourne Lees in January.

Both applications sparked a protests and objections in the villages, where objectors accused the company of being “underhanded” and “unscrupulous”.

They feared that if approved, the new homes would change the character of their villages and lead to overdevelopment of the sites.

Last night (Wednesday, July 20) hundreds of protesters from both villages went to Ashford Borough Council’s planning committee meeting to raise their concerns.

Dr Hilary Moorby from the Campaign to Protect Rural England and Brabourne Parish Council chairman Mike Hickmott spoke against Gladman’s plans in their area.

Meanwhile Smarden resident Mike Barkway and Sarah Ellison from Smarden Parish Council also addressed the meeting.

There were concerns that the committee could follow the recommendation by council officers to approve the plans for Smarden following the council’s defeat in a case regarding development at Tilden Gill Road in Tenterden.

But council leader Gerry Clarkson said: “Smarden is being considered for 25 dwellings in our local plan, subject to the result of a public consultation, not for 50.

“If we give permission it would make a nonsense of the whole public consultation process. This application is both premature and unhelpful and demonstrates a complete disregard to any form of sensitive planning approach to this countryside setting.”

Councillors also criticised Gladman’s approach in Brabourne Lees. Cllr Galpin said Gladman Developments had been described as a “predatory developer” that looks for sites around the country where councils struggle to demonstrate a five-year land supply for new homes to be built.

He said: “The Daily Mail stated in 2014 that Gladman Developments were 'predatory developers'. There are those who might call Gladman unprincipled carpetbaggers, I would not say that'".

Councillors voted unanimously to reject both planning applications. It is not yet clear if Gladman Developments will appeal to the National Planning Inspectorate against the decisions.