Controversial plans to build a five-storey block of flats instead of a four-storey one have been refused.

Planning permission for a 295-home development on land near the former Springfield Mill in Sandling Road, Maidstone, originally included a block containing 38 flats and was approved in 2018.

But a new application which proposed to replace the original plans with a bigger building with 10 more flats has been turned down.

When the new proposals were submitted in August it sparked fears from people in neighbouring blocks Adeline Heights and Ulysses House about the impact on house prices, views across the river and how schools, doctors' surgeries and parking would cope.

Speaking previously and formally objecting to Maidstone council, Bryan Billinghurst, of Rosalind Drive, said: "This is undoubtedly going to affect the value of my property in a negative way and many of my neighbours.

"A five-storey block is too high and will blight our properties. We bought our property for the view of the river and beyond into Maidstone and this will now be blocked.

"Some 10 additional flats could mean 20 additional vehicles. Four storeys was bad enough, why the need to go higher?!"

"No additional schools, doctors surgeries, parking, amenities are being built," James Gouldsworthy, of nearby Ulysses House added.

"This is just an opportunist developer attempting to squeeze 10 more properties from an already overcrowded area in Maidstone.

Charlotte Stevens, who also lives at Ulysses House, urged developers "not to be greedy" and to stick with the original four-storey plan.

The application, from Redrow homes, was shot down last week due to a "poor design quality" which doesn't "respond positively to its local context or character".

Maidstone council also said there was an absence of a legal agreement to secure the two affordable housing units in the development.

You can view the plans here.

Use reference 22/503234/FULL for the full scope of documents.