Approval of controversial plans to transform a million-pound property into 32 homes has been branded “disappointing” and “frustrating” for those who live close by.

The latest proposals for Cobham Lodge, in Gravesend, were discussed at Gravesham council's planning committee where members decided to approve the scheme.

The plans are to convert the existing £1 million, four-bedroom property into 10 flats, change the outbuilding into two houses, construct a new building with 11 flats and build eight semi-detached homes and one detached house.

Parking, cycle and bin storage areas and gardens are also included.

The bid was the only item to be debated at the committee meeting on Wednesday, January 31, after it was called in for further scrutiny by a councillor.

In their report, officers recommended the scheme, off the A2, for approval as it was “a sustainable form of development”.

The application was granted permission, with five members voting for it and four against.

Campaigners have been lobbying against the proposals for Cobham Lodge, in Valley Drive, for years, and David Gingell said this was "an extremely disappointing outcome for residents”.

Mr Gingell, who lives in Valley Drive, added: “On the planning website, objections were 10 to one against. This is from our council who claim to be 'a listening council’. It makes you wonder.”

Leader of the opposition, Cllr Jordan Meade (Con) – who represented residents opposing the scheme – claimed the decision showed a “lack of interest” in their views.

He added: “Residents have had their concerns over traffic, the environment, the scale of this development and the pressure that it will put on existing infrastructure, simply ignored.

“I feel so sorry for the residents of Singlewell who have battled so hard against the overdevelopment of this plot over the past few years.

“It is hugely frustrating that once again we are seeing councillors approve schemes which fall so far short of what the people of Gravesham want and need. Our approach to planning needs to change.”

Cllr Helen Ashenden (Con), who represents Higham and Shorne ward, agreed saying the decision was “disappointing”.

“I am saddened for the residents who have worked so hard to protect our local community from overdevelopment, only to have the council disregard their lived experience of the location," she added.

Despite the 49 objections, the plans did receive two letters of support.

This was the third application to be submitted for Cobham Lodge since 2019 and was a copy of the previously rejected one.

Two years ago, the same development was refused by councillors despite being recommended for approval by officers.

Permission was denied due to the layout and height of the proposed buildings which were said to be “out of keeping with the character” of the area and would result in “overdevelopment”.

The decision was taken to the Planning Inspectorate who also dismissed the case in October.

However, the design and access statement stated that the inspector said the plans would not impact the character of the area, contrary to the councillors’ ruling.

The appeal was instead dismissed due to a lack of a completed section 106 agreement, where developers make a financial contribution to mitigate the impact of a project on the local community and infrastructure.

In the resubmission, the applicant said they were “keen” to make sure this was agreed and would pay a contribution of more than £55,000.

The scheme was initially drawn up in February 2019 and looked to build 64 apartments on the site near Nell’s Cafe.

It was dubbed “the worst planning application in history” by residents, and councillors voted unanimously to reject the plans in January 2020.

The fresh application was then drawn up for a smaller scheme and was again hit by controversy, including intervention from a TikTok influencer who asked her followers to vote in favour of the project.

Local businessman Ravinder Shetra, who is behind the bid, did not wish to comment on the approval.