Proposals to build a housing estate on Maidstone’s Fant Farm have been thrown out by councillors.

The bid by Gleesons to gain outline permission for 225 homes on the 35-acre site below Gatland Lane was rejected by a unanimous vote.

Members of the Save Fant Farm action group were taking no chances and still turned up to the meeting in the Town Hall to speak against the proposal, although they knew in advance that planning officers were recommending refusal on the grounds that the site lay in an Area of Local Landscape Importance, and the development would have an adverse effect on local infrastructure and also failed to provide sufficient affordable housing.

Gareth Owen of Save Fant Farm Action Group said after the meeting: “It’s very, very heartening.

"It was particularly good to hear one of the councillors praise residents for their determined efforts to bring pressure to bear.”

Mr Owen said opponents would be ready to fight again in the event of an appeal.

Cllr Steven Paine (Con) had opposed the plan from the start.

He said: “For eight years we have worked with residents, officers and other stakeholders to protect the Medway Valley from unwanted urban sprawl.

“It’s been a long process – we had to make sure the council’s policies recognised the importance of long distance views through the valley, especially from public footpaths.

“Throughout the local plan process, we argued for the natural beauty of the site to be taken into account when allocating sites.

With years of evidence behind us, it wasn’t difficult to persuade councillors to designate the area a Landscape of Local Value and to rule out a housing allocation there.

“Ultimately, this was the key reason used by planning committee to reject housing on Fant Farm."

Cllr Paine said: “Residents have worked hard throughout. Hundreds wrote in to raise their objections.

"They formed the Save Fant Farm group, organised public meetings, and attended the planning committee in force.

“Of course, the battle isn’t over yet. I think it is highly likely that the applicant will appeal.

"But with the force of the community behind us, not to mention a Local Plan in place which gives unambiguous protection to the valley, I am confident we will see off this threat at a public inquiry.”

Two other controversial applications scheduled for the meeting were not heard, because of a crammed agenda.

Applications for 108 homes on an old quarry site off Straw Mill Hill in Tovil, and for 57 homes on farmland off Lenham Road, Lenham, will now be determined on Thursday, March 24.