Planners have refused to grant permission for a controversial woodland development near Vigo.

Work was first reported in Fowler's Stone Wood off Harvel Road in April last year, leading to a High Court hearing which ruled the development was illegal.

A retrospective application for the development followed, applying to change the use of land for "one mobile home, a utility unit with raised decking, a toilet and one touring caravan, together with the creation of a vehicle access, parking and turning areas."

That has now been officially refused by Gravesham council, which has previously come under mounting pressure to enforce the High Court ruling.

A council notice addressed to Mr G Sullivan C/O Mr Peter Brownjohn of WS Planning & Architecture, states the retrospective application was refused on a number for grounds.

The notice states: "The proposal is considered to comprise an inappropriate development in the Green Belt that introduces a significant expanse of man-made structures and features into this wooded, rural location, encroaching over the countryside and causing substantial detriment to the openness of the Green Belt and conflicting with the purpose that this land is included within it. There are no very special circumstances that exist that would outweigh the harm resulting from the proposal by reason of inappropriateness, or any other harm."

"The mobile home, caravan and associated structures, features and detritus on the site are wholly out of character with their natural, rural, woodland surroundings and therefore appear completely incongruous and detrimental to the visual and spatial characteristics of the site. The development has failed to improve the landscape or conserve the ancient woodland, and is considered harmful to the setting of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with no opportunity for mitigation."

It also adds that the development has caused "direct loss of part of the Ancient Woodland of Fowlers Stone Wood, which is an irreplaceable habitat."

The application received objections from Kent Wildlife Trust, The Woodland Trust, Meopham and Vigo Parish Councils, and neighbouring properties.

A statement from the council added that planners took into account the fact the scheme was "intentional unauthorised development" when making their decision.

It added: "The site is the subject of a High Court injunction requiring all development be removed from the land and the submission of a scheme of restoration, and the council’s enforcement action under this High Court injunction will continue through the legal process."

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