MP Helen Whately is calling on Maidstone Borough Councillors to stand by their decision to reject a 47,000sqm commercial development close to Leeds Castle and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Maidstone’s planning committee threw out the application at Woodcut Farm in July last year on the basis that it would cause harm to the countryside. But planning officers are now telling members not to defend the case when an appeal comes to a public inquiry in October.

Officers said there was “no realistic prospect” of defending the original decision, because the site has subsequently been ear-marked for employment development in the council’s emerging Local Plan, and said that the council risked paying considerable costs if it lost.

A report to the committee said there was “a high risk of a very significant adverse costs award”, plus the council’s own costs of fighting the case which would be “significant.”

But Mrs Whately said: “Junction 8 is an area of beautiful, open countryside in the shadow of Leeds Castle. I have always said it’s the wrong place for development.

“I’m very concerned that members of Maidstone Council’s Planning Committee are being urged to approve a major commercial site at Woodcut Farm.

“Residents and community groups have made it clear in the past – as they are now – that development around Junction 8 is not wanted. They don’t want to see this unspoilt area of countryside turned into a business park.”

Mrs Whately urged planning officers to be more conscious of how development around Junction 8 would spoil the approach to Leeds Castle.

She said: “This is one of our greatest assets, attracting tourists from across the country and around the world, who not only visit the castle, but also stay in local hotels and B&Bs, go to pubs and restaurants, spend money in shops and visit other local destinations. We shouldn’t put those businesses and jobs at risk.”

She said: “The reasons for rejecting this application in the first place haven’t gone away. Members should stick to their guns and once again say no to development at Junction 8.”

*The committee is due to consider the officers’ report in the Town Hall this Thursday night.