A highly controversial plan to build 225 homes in a village has been thrown out by a High Court judge.

In a chequered planning history, Gladman Developments has made several attempts over three years to push through the scheme earmarked for Cliffe Woods.

The company initially submitted an application to Medway Council in mid-2016, which was turned down. It appealed to the Secretary of State for Housing and, again,was unsuccessful.

Following a public inquiry a government planning inspector granted planning consent. But then at the end of last year the Secretary of State, James Brokenshire, stepped in to overturn permission to build at the site in Town Road.

In the latest turn, Justice Dove has backed Mr Brokenshire's ruling and the development is back on the drawing board.

In its defence, Gladman said that Medway Council admitted there was a significant shortfall in its supply of land for residential use.

The National Planning Policy Framework requires the council to have a five-year plan for enough land to build 30,000 homes over the next 20 years.

The planning inspector recommended approval on the grounds of social and economic benefits and that it would provide 25% affordable homes.

While Mr Brokenshire agreed with the inspector he firmly disagreed that it was an environmentally-friendly scheme. He felt it would impact on marshland wildlife habitats and breeding birds in the estuary.

In total 332 objections argued the plans would destroy open countryside and agricultural land, ruin the village environment, put pressure on the already over-subscribed primary school and increase traffic.

Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst was among those who raised concerns and lobbied ministerial colleagues.

Miss Tolhurst said: "Following a hearing in the High Court, I am very pleased that the judge has agreed with the previous decision made by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and has refused planning permission for this poorly-considered development in Cliffe Woods.

“We urgently need a Local Plan in Medway, and for all the time that we remain without one, our rural communities will continue to be threatened by large, predatory housing applications which would damage our environment and put further strain in our infrastructure and public services. I am continuing to engage with Medway Council to deliver their Local Plan as soon as possible.

“Having a sustainable Local Plan is a key priority for me to ensure that we protect the beautiful rural areas in my constituency, such as Cliffe Woods and the wider Hoo Peninsula.”

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