When Maidstone council granted permission for seven blocks of flats to be built on part of Maidstone TV Studios land, it was in the face of extensive public opposition.

The council received 149 individual letters of objection, a petition signed by 280 residents, and objections from Boxley Parish Council, the Vinters Valley Park Trust, and several borough councillors.

That was three years ago. Much to the relief of objectors, the developer never actually implemented its planning permission which would have created 142 homes, each using the already congested New Cut.

Now Persimmon Homes has applied to renew the planning permission, which is about to expire.

The details of the plan are the same.

Peter Rabbatts of Exton Gardens was one of the objectors last time around.

He said: "We were all very glad the development never got off the ground but I don’t think there will be much opposition this time.

"We employed every cogent argument before but it seems that however much you shout and holler, Maidstone council does not feel obliged to take any notice.

"The general feeling now is that the renewal will just be rubber-stamped."

*See full story in this week’s Kent Messenger