A council leader has accused a developer of ignoring the views of thousands of residents in submitting a “premature” bid to build hundreds of homes in a conservation area.

Campaign groups celebrated when Berkley Homes finally withdrew its scheme for 900 new homes at Broadwater Farm between Kings Hill and East Malling.

It came more than two and a half years after plans were first submitted to Tonbridge and Malling council.

But now the council leader, Cllr Matt Boughton, has written to Adrian Brown, the managing director of Berkeley Homes taking the firm to task.

Cllr Boughton (Con) told him: “For two years the communities of Kings Hill and East Malling have had to deal with the uncertainty caused by your outline planning application.

“During this time, hundreds of residents have written comments, mainly objections, to the scheme put forward by Berkeley.

“We – Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council – have had to invest a significant amount of time and resources into fulfilling our legal obligation to make a decision on the application.

“For many residents the concept of development at Broadwater Farm in the manner that Berkeley proposed was unacceptable.”

“Residents have questioned whether Berkeley is committed to supporting the existing community given the concerns raised about how this application would link with Kings Hill and surrounding towns and villages, while critically protecting the conservation areas affected by Berkeley’s proposals.

“In the two years since the application was submitted, these concerns have not reduced.”

Last year, in good faith, the council signed a revised planning performance agreement with Berkeley Homes based on an understanding the developer wished to amend some of its plans prior to a decision being made.

A commitment was made to facilitate a “re-consultation period” so that residents could have their say on further changes brought forward.

The date committed to by Berkeley passed but no revisions were received by the council and the local community has “been kept in the dark about your plans”, claimed Cllr Boughton.

He added: “While many will welcome the withdrawal of the planning application, it is disappointing that this has happened prior to TMBC being able to make a decision on the proposals put forward.

“If a developer is to gain the trust of local communities, it is essential that it only submits plans which it is comfortable with implementing, and has overcome all of the concerns raised.

“Too often we hear about developers not listening, and this withdrawal prior to a decision being made will only add weight to that argument.

“We also note that in your letter to TMBC of October 3, your company said it ‘supports a plan-led approach to major development’.

“If a plan-led approach to major development was your genuine aim, then you should have sought to promote the site exclusively through the Local Plan process.”

“At the time that you submitted your planning application, it was known that TMBC would be starting the Local Plan-making process which includes a commitment to site allocations at the appropriate time.”

Cllr Boughton argues there was no need for Berkeley to submit a planning application in advance, causing worry and concern.

Berkeley has now submitted the site for inclusion in the new Local Plan, currently being worked up by the borough, and the developer insists it is still a good idea.

A spokesman for the property group said: “Of the 900 new homes, 30% were proposed to be affordable, and we proposed a new primary and secondary school, together with land for a medical centre, public open space and net biodiversity gain.”

He added: “Berkeley continues to believe that Broadwater Farm can deliver a range of benefits for the local area.

“We remain committed and intend to prepare a revised planning application in due course, once the new Local Plan is more advanced.

“A revised application will also afford us the opportunity to respond positively to feedback on our earlier application.”

The original application attracted more than 1,500 individual letters of objection.

In his letter, Cllr Boughton added: “Over the coming months, the council will decide which sites are worthy of inclusion in the plan.

“We will assess Broadwater Farm equally along with the hundreds of others submitted.”

The Tory leader further encouraged the developer to “reflect” on the comments it has received and the key issues raised by local people.

Berkeley Homes declined to comment specifically on Cllr Boughton’s letter.