More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A campaigner for preservation of open space says he has found "a chink of light" in a decision to approve a development of new homes.
Last night a Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council planning committee gave outline permission for up to 106 houses on land off the A20 London Road in Allington known locally as Bunyards Farm.
Although councillors fearing the impact of extra traffic on local roads could not find grounds to reject the plans, they did agree informative notes to the developers encouraging a buffer between the houses and the railway line, as well as consultation with local landowners over a walkable route linking to Barming train station.
Informative notes allow the local planning authority to draw an applicant's attention to matters considered relevant to their plans, however they do not carry any legal weight.
James Willis, a former Maidstone councillor and transport campaigner, is lobbying both the Tonbridge and Malling authority and Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) to work together to save routes of open space in the area, which has seen significant house building in recent year.
Although Mr Willis was disappointed the plans for the homes were given the green light last night, he did sound a note of encouragement about the possibility for some open space and pathways which would offer an alternative to journeys by car.
"The overall decision is bad news," he said. "I can't pretend that Hermitage Lane and that area is not horrendous.
"But the chink of light is that they have agreed to look at a space for nature and they talked about some healthy walking and cycling access to get to the nearest railway station, which is Barming.
"If we work together, both councils working together with residents, then there is a chance that we can actually come up with something that gives us this nature corridor and a walking route from Allington to Barming."
The proposed scheme, which would be built on land at Allington south west of the A20 London Road, would feature a mix of terraced, semi-detached and detached houses. Access to the development would be via the existing residential road of Castor Park.
It is proposed that 40% of the properties in the scheme would be classed as affordable housing.
The plans for the site off Castor Park are objected to by Aylesford Parish Council, which says building in this location will further erode the separation between the various individual communities north of Maidstone.
"We clearly have many, many questions, in particular about highway capacity..."
It also points to the increase in traffic on nearby roads, and the risk of increased air pollution from increased numbers of vehicles in the area.
Cllr David Lettington, who represents Snodland West and Holborough Lakes, told the committee meeting of his frustration that concerns about the impact on local roads is still not grounds for the application to be rejected.
He said: "Members are put in an exceptionally difficult position because we clearly have many, many questions, in particular about highway capacity.
"The fact is it is not clear to members, and it's not clear to the public in general, how this works, and it's not clear when there will be a trigger point where we can actually stop an application.
"It seems to me this is not an ideal place, that it's a field that we would rather not lose, but nevertheless there is no protection on that field as far as policy is concerned, either national or local."
He drew attention to the recent by a government inspector which overturned an MBC decision to reject plans for more than 400 homes in Otham, leaving the authority facing a potentially costly bill.
The council had backed residents who raised road safety concerns, but there had been fears the rejection would be challenged and Maidstone would be at risk of paying costs if the appeal went against it.
Mr Lettington said: "It's virtually impossible for members to come up with concrete evidence of the effect on the traffic network, even taking into account any changes or improvements that might be made in the future.
"Unfortunately, as much as I don't like to say it, I see no policy ground for turning the application down."
Councillors approved outline planning permission for the site, voting 15 to four in favour.
Mr Willis is still determined to make progress with project MERLin - The Medway Ecological Riverine Link - which he hopes could see the two councils working together on active travel links and space for nature on the border of the two authorities.
He is planning to hold a virtual meeting to discuss the next steps in his campaign on Thursday at 6.30pm. Mr Willis has also invited MPs to attend the discussion.
