Residents fiercely opposing plans for a mini-housing estate claimed “this is not what the village needs” moments before it was approved.

Councillors on Ashford Borough Council’s (ABC) planning committee gave the green light to the housing scheme for 18 homes and two self-build plots off Stocks Road in Wittersham, near Ashford, last month.

This was despite concerns including the site's position within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), questionable housing needs data and inadequate infrastructure such as drainage and road capacity.

The proposal came from UK Land Investors Wittersham Ltd, which had originally wanted to erect 28 homes alongside two self-build plots on the site.

However, in July 2022, ABC deferred this application despite the planning officer’s feeling that it should be refused due to its poor layout density and lack of landscape buffers.

This year, a revised scheme was submitted, reducing the number of houses proposed and adding central green space and substantial landscape buffers.

Alongside the two self-build plots, eight affordable homes and 10 dwellings, including four units for those looking to downsize, are set to be built.

Despite a viability assessment showing less profit from the development, the applicant has stated they are willing to make less in order to provide a policy-compliant scheme.

Yet at the meeting, residents still felt this was not what their village needed.

Miriam Lewis said: “For the first time in 10 years, there’s a recommendation to permit development.

“This complete u-turn is difficult to understand, especially in light of the three others on the edge of the village that this council refused due to harm to the AONB.

“Despite the reduction to 20 homes, it remains harmful to the landscape and would not conserve or enhance its natural beauty - the strong reason for refusal is right there.

“It makes no sense to put forward a site of 7.4 acres to deliver an identified need of just seven local homes.”

In a village housing survey in 2019 carried out by Wittersham Parish Council, it was identified that seven affordable homes were needed in the area.

However, with the figures now six years out of date, it was argued this could be an inaccurate figure.

“In the survey, villagers were asked to show support for a small scheme, likely provided by a housing association, unaware that the results were to justify a scheme on this large site,” said Miriam Lewis.

“Yes, there are seven local needs homes, but the general market homes are expensive - this is not what the village signed up for or what the village needs.”

In total, 84 comments opposing the scheme were logged on ABC’s planning portal, with four in support.

Members of the parish council were keen to see the plans approved for the land, which is not included in ABC’s Local Plan.

At the meeting, Cllr Jeremy Smith stated how they had previously shown support for varying schemes for this site in the last decade, wanting to aid the housing need but balance sustainable growth in the village.

He added: “The 30 houses and bungalows were reduced to 20 at ultra-low density, and we’re pleased with the recommendation to permit.

“But I should record some disappointment at the reduction to secure this recommendation. Sooner or later, more agricultural land will be needed in Wittersham to build those missing houses which seems a counter-intuitive outcome.

“I know this committee can only decide on the scheme in front of them, and the parish council supports your planning officer in asking that it be permitted, along with some regret for the four years it's taken us to get to this point.”

Councillors acknowledged the need to respect the AONB but admitted it was finely balanced with the need to provide more housing in the district, which could result in urbanisation of the High Weald National Landscape.

Cllr Jessamy Blanford (Con) said: “This application is a question of finding the balance between the needs of Wittersham and protecting the countryside.

“It won’t hit you in the eye as a great built-up slab of concrete and brickwork…”

“I feel this application is a big improvement on the one we had before, and I agree that it’s got to be maintained properly.

“Twenty houses are not that big. Most developers these days want more than that.

“It’s spaced out well with a lot of greenery. It won’t hit you in the eye as a great built-up slab of concrete and brickwork.

“So with some reluctance but bearing in mind all the problems that Wittersham has, I will support this application.”

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Overall, the scheme was approved with 12 votes for and two abstentions.

The applicants have been contacted for comment.