Croudace Strategic has won permission for an extensive housing development on land east of Hermitage Lane, despite the potential for damage to an historic woodland.

Residents fought long and hard against the scheme, with the New Allington Action Group (NAAG) playing a full role at the five-day planning inquiry in July.

However, on Tuesday, Greg Clark MP, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, endorsed the recommendation of the inquiry inspector Paul Clark that the application should be allowed.

The inspector accepted that “in the worst case scenario” the scheme would result in the direct loss of part of Bluebell Wood, a designated ancient woodland, and that this was contrary to saved policies in the Maidstone Local Plan, but nevertheless he concluded that the loss would be outweighed by the “significant benefits” the scheme would bring.

The wood separates the two fields that together comprise the application site.

The inspector said that since the application was outline only, there was still the opportunity for an alternative way of accessing the southern field to be found.

Both Maidstone and Tonbridge and Malling councils - the site straddles the two boroughs - had refused permission for the mixed development that proposed up to 500 new homes, with land set aside for a school and community centre, but only Maidstone contested the appeal.

The inspector said a road through the wood would result in the loss of “only 1.8% of the designated area.”

He said: “Although the loss of ancient woodland would technically infringe the requirements of the adopted Local Plan, the ecological effects would be acceptable.

“The need for, and benefits of, the development in this location clearly outweigh the loss.”NAGG had also argued that the application would place undue pressure on the road network, but Maidstone did not support them on that. The inspector said he found “no substantive evidence” that the effect on highway safety or air quality would be unacceptable.

The inspector has imposed 21 conditions on the permission, including that Croudace meet the cost of specified improvements at Junction 5 of the M20.

Diana Lewins, of NAAG, said: “We are very, very disappointed.

“We shall be looking to see what we can do to persuade Maidstone council to insist on an alternative access to the southern field.”

Cllr James Willis (Lib Dem) said: "Maidstone's Liberal Democrat councillors are extremely concerned by the decision by the Government's Communities Minister.

"This has trampled over the thousands of local people who signed a petition and campaigned for Bluebell Wood to preserve it for the future generations.

"Bluebell Wood is a beautiful oasis and has been enjoyed by many. This scheme will decimate the linear nature of the wood."

Cllr Willis said: "Local councillors will commit hard on behalf of, and with, residents to negotiate with council planners, land-owners and even the developers to find a way to keep this much needed open space untouched."

County Cllr Rob Bird (Lib Dem) said: "All the Liberal Democrat councillors for Allington and Heath are disappointed, but we pledge to work with the developer and planning officers to minimise the potential damage to the woodland and surrounding areas."